Winchester Castle
| Winchester Castle | |
|---|---|
| Hampshire, England | |
The Great Hall, built by Henry III
|
|
 Winchester Castle
|
|
| Coordinates |
51°03′45″N 1°19′14″W / 51.06243°N 1.32054°WCoordinates: 51°03′45″N 1°19′14″W / 51.06243°N 1.32054°W grid reference SU476295 |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Hampshire County Council |
| Condition | Great Hall remains, used as museum |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Stone |
Winchester Castle is a medieval building in Hampshire, England. It was founded in 1067. Only the Great Hall still stands; it houses a museum of the history of Winchester.
Between 1222–1235, Henry III (who was born at Winchester Castle) added the Great Hall, built to a "double cube" design, measuring 110 ft by 55 ft by 55 ft (approx. 33.5m by 16.8m by 16.8m). The Great Hall is built of flint with stone dressings; originally it had lower walls and a roof with dormer windows. In their place were added the tall two-light windows with early plate tracery. Extensions to the castle were made by Edward II. In 1873 the roof of the Great Hall was completely replaced.
An imitation Arthurian Round Table hangs in the Great Hall. The table was originally constructed in the 13th century, and repainted in its present form for Henry VIII; around the edge of the table are the names of King Arthur's knights.
Behind the Great Hall is a re-creation of a medieval garden called Queen Eleanor's Garden. A series of pictorial epigrams illuminated in medieval monastic style known as The Winchester Panels hang in the Great Hall. They depict the 25 knights of the Round Table and illustrate the challenges facing a maturing character as it progresses round the great "Wheel of Life".
The Great Hall
The "Winchester Round Table" in the Great Hall, Dendrochronology dating has placed it at 1275.
Statue of Queen Victoria in the Great Hall
In 1141, during The Anarchy, forces of the Empress Matilda were besieged by King Stephen at the castle.
In 1302, Edward I and his second wife, Margaret of France, narrowly escaped death when the royal apartments of the castle were destroyed by fire.
...
Wikipedia