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Posted on April 1, 2006 by Jason Petrina | Posted under History
Castles Constructed During Medieval Times
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One of these such castles is Bodiam, located in Sussex, England; just one of the many castles located throughout this small island nation. Upon first appearance it may look as though the castle at Boiam is flooded but in reality the builders of the castle intentionally constructed it upon water. The castle was built in 1385 in order protect against potential raids from the French, with the installation of no less than three drawbridges to provide further protection. Windsor castle is the largest castle located in England. The site dates back to 1070, when the first residence was constructed by William the Conqueror. Still in magnificent condition today, the castle serves as one of the primary residences of the Queen. It has been in continuous operation since the Middle Ages. Throughout the years of its inhabitance by the many monarchs of England, many improvements have been made on the original structure. Henry I converted the original wood and earth structure to the stone structure that is known so well throughout the world today. During the time of Edward II, a chapel was constructed and the height of the oval tower was raised. Henry VIII left his own mark on the structure by ordering the construction of the main castle entrance. While the Windsor castle has no need to serve as a military fortress, it remains a primary royal residence today. The Tower of London was actually first constructed as part of a castle to serve as a grand entry for the coronation of Duke William of Normandy, after he invaded and conquered England in 1066. Although the Tower was not intended to serve as a primary fortress, its location along the banks of the river Thames did serve to protect in the event of a river attack by the Danish. Edinburg Castle, located in Scotland, is one of the largest castles in Scotland and certainly the most famous. Although there have been numerous castles located on the site of the present day castle, it is widely believed that the first castle was built here sometime during the eleventh century. Heidelberg Castle, in Germany, is frequently referred to as the red walled castle. Although much of the castle is in poor condition today, it is a fine example of a variety of architectural styles including Baroque, medieval and Renaissance. The castle dates from the 14th century through the 17th century. Although the castle was originally built to serve as a fortress, it has served a variety of purposes throughout the years. These uses have included a prison, treasury, record storage, palace and residence for minority Scottish kings. The castle holds special interest for many, as it is the site where Queen Mary of Scots gave birth to her son, who would later become King James VI. The Blarney Castle of Ireland was first constructed during the fifteenth century. It contains a large rectangular tower, known to be one of the larges throughout the island. Perhaps one of the most famous features of this castle is the fact that it is home to the famous Blarney stone. About The Author: Jason Petrina is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com |
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