The New Forest—once the royal hunting ground of William the Conqueror

Imagine a land where wild horses roam free, where deer forage in ancient woodland and fox cubs play on open fields.

Welcome to the New Forest—a vast region of southern England spanning the counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire, and parts of Dorset.

A land of untamed beauty.

Of pastures, heathland, and ancient woodland, dotted with delightful villages, churches, and country houses.

Join us as we explore the New Forest.

A lone wild horse feeding at sunrise. Credit Lies Thru a Lens, flickr
A lone wild horse feeding at sunrise. Credit Lies Thru a Lens, flickr
New Forest Pony by Ceri Jones on 500px.com
New Forest Pony. Credit gailhampshire
Camper Van on a road through the New Forest. Credit Steve Wilson, flickr
Camper Van on a road through the New Forest. Credit Steve Wilson, flickr
New Forest National Park. Credit weesam2010, flickr
New Forest National Park. Credit weesam2010, flickr
The ford over Dockens Water at Rockford in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
The ford over Dockens Water at Rockford in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
An old gate to a field in the New Forest near Highwood. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
An old gate to a field in the New Forest near Highwood. Credit Anguskirk, flickr

History

Prior to the Norman Invasion of England, the area was colonised by the Jutes from the Jutland Peninsula of what is now Denmark and Northern Germany.

Following the Norman Conquest, King William I, commonly known as William the Conqueror, designated the land as a royal forest, reserved for the private use of the King and invited aristocracy.

Created at the expense of over 20 small hamlets and farms, it was a “new” area and the only forest described in detail in the ancient Domesday Book’s “Great Survey”.

A well-worn track in the New Forest near Highwood. Credit Anguskirk
A well-worn track in the New Forest near Highwood. Credit Anguskirk

Mysteriously, two of William the Conqueror’s sons died in hunting accidents in the New Forest.

Folklore has it that the deaths were punishment for William evicting locals from his newly acquired lands.

Richard of Normandy, his second son, died in around 1070, while his younger brother, William would suffer a similar fate 30 years later.

King William II was accidentally and fatally shot with an arrow in the New Forest

Struck by an arrow from one of his own men while hunting in August of 1100, King William II of England died in suspicious circumstances, leading to speculation of murder.

Historian Frank Barlow described King William II as:

A rumbustious, devil-may-care soldier, without natural dignity or social graces, with no cultivated tastes and little show of conventional religious piety or morality—indeed, according to his critics, addicted to every kind of vice, particularly lust and especially sodomy.
Rufus Stone near Minstead, New Forest. Credit Avalon20
Rufus Stone near Minstead, New Forest. Credit Avalon20

Marking the spot where the king was shot, the “Rufus Stone” bears the following inscription:

Here stood the oak tree, on which an arrow shot by Sir Walter Tyrrell at a stag, glanced and struck King William the Second, surnamed Rufus, on the breast, of which he instantly died, on the second day of August, anno 1100.

William’s brother Henry was among the hunting party that day and succeeded him as King.

Abanding his brother’s body, he rode straight for Winchester—then the capital of England—to seize the treasury and elect himself King.

Rights of Common

Ancient “rights of common” have allowed local inhabitants to turn horses and cattle out into the forest’s common pasture to graze.

A horse walks in a meadow of Oxeye Daisies at Rockford In Hampshire. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
A horse walks in a meadow of Oxeye Daisies at Rockford In Hampshire. Credit Anguskirk, flickr

Between September and November, pigs can roam freely to forage for fallen acorns and beechnuts.

Pigs and piglets roaming free in the New Forest. Credit ian mcwilliams, flickr
Pigs and piglets roaming free in the New Forest. Credit ian mcwilliams, flickr

New Forest ponies are typically not shy and can be bold enough to seek out a treat.

New Forest Pony. Credit Saffron Blaze
New Forest Pony. Credit Saffron Blaze
New Forest Pony Foal. Credit Stuart Webster, flickr
New Forest Pony Foal. Credit Stuart Webster, flickr
Silhouette of an oak tree at Backley Holmes in the New Forest. Credit JimChampion
Silhouette of an oak tree at Backley Holmes in the New Forest. Credit JimChampion

Wildlife

Abundant with diverse species of wildlife thanks to well-preserved lowland habitats—wetlands, heaths, and deciduous woodland—you’re sure to see some beautiful creatures including several deer populations, of which fallow deer is the most common, but also roe deer, red deer, sika deer, and muntjac.

Fallow Deer. Credit Jiří Nedorost
Fallow Deer. Credit Jiří Nedorost

If you’re lucky, you may see this fine bird of prey—the Northern Goshawk—before it sees you.

Northern Goshawk. Credit Andy Morfew
Northern Goshawk. Credit Andy Morfew

And the pretty Dartford Warbler can be spotted flitting around the gorse.

Dartford Warbler. Credit Paul Roberts, flickr
Dartford Warbler. Credit Paul Roberts, flickr

New Forest National Park

Covering about 120 square miles, the New Forest’s National Park and Site of Special Scientific Interest is the largest contiguous area of unsown vegetation in lowland Britain.

Natural Bridge, New Forest National Park. Credit weesam,flickr
Natural Bridge, New Forest National Park. Credit weesam,flickr
New Forest Ponies and Ancient Oak near Brockenhurst, New Forest. Credit JR P
New Forest Ponies and Ancient Oak near Brockenhurst, New Forest. Credit JR P
The ancient woodland of The New Forest National Park in autumn colours. Credit Tommy Clark, flickr
The ancient woodland of The New Forest National Park in autumn colours. Credit Tommy Clark, flickr
A rural track in Brockenhurst, New Forest, during the Autumn. Credit Jack Pease, flickr
A rural track in Brockenhurst, New Forest, during the Autumn. Credit Jack Pease, flickr
Spectacular beds of heather in September at Broomy Lodge in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
Spectacular beds of heather in September at Broomy Lodge in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
Looking towards Fordingbridge from Milkham Enclosure in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
Looking towards Fordingbridge from Milkham Enclosure in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
Docken Water at Rockford in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
Docken Water at Rockford in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr

Villages and Historical Buildings

As eclectic as it is beautiful, the New Forest district is filled with pretty villages and historical buildings yearning to be explored.

Founded by King John in 1203, Beaulieu Abbey was occupied by 30 monks sent from the Cîteaux Abbey, the mother house of the Cistercian order.

Granted a rich endowment and lands in the New Forest, Beaulieu Abbey became very wealthy, with a scale and magnificence befitting its royal foundation until it was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538 and fell into ruin.

Remains of Outer Wall Around Cloister and Foundations of Beaulieu Abbey Church
Remains of Outer Wall Around Cloister and Foundations of Beaulieu Abbey Church
The interior of the chapter house of Beaulieu Abbey, New Forest
The interior of the chapter house of Beaulieu Abbey, New Forest

Once the gatehouse to Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House became the ancestral home of the Mantagu family when it was bought from the Crown following the dissolution of the abbey.

Extended in the 16th and 19th centuries, it is a superb example of a Gothic country house and reputedly one of the most haunted places in Britain.

Beaulieu Palace House, Beaulieu, New Forest. Credit DeFacto
Beaulieu Palace House, Beaulieu, New Forest. Credit DeFacto

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of the Sherlock Holmes novels, conducted séances at Palace House and it is claimed he made contact with a ghost.

Reportedly sighted walking through walls and making a lot of noise in the private apartments, a lady in blue is believed to be the ghost of the Countess of Beaulieu, Lady Isabella, who died in 1786.

Beaulieu Palace House. Credit Karen Roe, flickr
Beaulieu Palace House. Credit Karen Roe, flickr
Dining room at Beaulieu Palace, New Forest. Credit Karen Roe, flickr
Dining room at Beaulieu Palace, New Forest. Credit Karen Roe, flickr
Beaulieu Palace House, New Forest. Credit Nigel Brown
Beaulieu Palace House, New Forest. Credit Nigel Brown

Founded in 1952 by Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, as a tribute to his father, who was one of the great British automobile pioneers, the National Motor Museum is hosted in the village of Beaulieu.

1903 De Dion Bouton Model Q at Beaulieu National Motor Museum. Credit Karen Roe, flickr
1903 De Dion Bouton Model Q at Beaulieu National Motor Museum. Credit Karen Roe, flickr

Filled with around 250 vehicles from the late 19th century through decades of motoring history, the museum also features an exhibit of James Bond cars and a special Top Gear exhibit.

1912 Hispano-Suiza Alfonso XIII at the Beaulieu National Motor Museum. Credit Karen Roe
1912 Hispano-Suiza Alfonso XIII at the Beaulieu National Motor Museum. Credit Karen Roe

Noted for its fine collection of paintings and furniture, Breamore House is an Elizabethan manor house in Fordingbridge in the New Forest District of Hampshire.

Completed in 1583 by the Dodington family, it was purchased in the 18th century by Sir Edward Hulse, physician to Queen Anne and Kings George I and George II.

It was used as one of the locations for the 2005 film Pride & Prejudice.

Breamore House, New Forest. Credit Wulfrunian1
Breamore House, New Forest. Credit Wulfrunian1

Nearby is the parish church of Saint Mary, known for its Anglo-Saxon rood and intriguing historical details such as a Puritan-inspired plaque warning patrons to “Avoid Fornication”.

St Mary's parish church, Breamore, New Forest. Credit Plumbao
St Mary’s parish church, Breamore, New Forest. Credit Plumbao

With its cobbled streets, pretty whitewashed Victorian and Georgian buildings, and proximity to the New Forest, Lymington is a popular tourist destination.

Derived from Old English words “tun” meaning hamlet and “limen” meaning elm tree, Lymington’s history dates back to the Anglo-Saxons.

Lymington also runs a ferry service to the Isle of Wight.

The Small Port of Lymington, New Forest. Credit JR P, flickr
The Small Port of Lymington, New Forest. Credit JR P, flickr

In the countryside north of Lymington, beautiful villages like Boldre and Brockenhurst dot the landscape, once described by author and naturalist William Henry Hudson as “‘a land of secret, green, out-of-the-world places”.

Boldre village church, New Forest. Credit Alan Stewart
Boldre village church, New Forest. Credit Alan Stewart
A pretty thatched cottage at Rockford, New Forest. Credit Anguskirk
A pretty thatched cottage at Rockford, New Forest. Credit Anguskirk
Thatched cottage in Brook Village in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
Thatched cottage in Brook Village in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
A pretty thatched cottage framed by an old Oak tree at Highwood in Hampshire. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
A pretty thatched cottage framed by an old Oak tree at Highwood in Hampshire. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
Thatched cottage and geese in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
Thatched cottage and geese in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr

Held annually at the end of July, the New Forest Agricultural Show has been running since 1921 and promotes the development of agriculture, forestry, equestrianism and horticulture in the region.

Burrell Steam engine 3902 'Elizabeth', built in 1921, powers a Ransomes threshing machine at the New Forest Show. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
Burrell Steam engine 3902 ‘Elizabeth’, built in 1921, powers a Ransomes threshing machine at the New Forest Show. Credit Anguskirk, flickr

Attending in 2012, Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh honoured the Show as one of the country’s top ten agricultural Shows, attracting almost 100,000 people over three days.

Robey Steam Tractor, 'Our Nipper' at the New Forest Show. Credit Anguskirk, flickr

All that hard work soaking up the gorgeous scenery and atmosphere may make you thirsty and the New Forest doesn’t disappoint, with dozens of old pubs to choose from—as long as you don’t mind the local fauna waltzing by now and then.

The Red Shoot pub in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
The Red Shoot pub in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
The 18th century Alice Lisle inn at Rockford in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
The 18th century Alice Lisle inn at Rockford in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
Families enjoy a Sunday lunch outside the High Corner Inn in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr
Families enjoy a Sunday lunch outside the High Corner Inn in the New Forest. Credit Anguskirk, flickr

The New Forest is a place to experience a way of life that’s been preserved for centuries.

Or a place to find peace and solitude.

Just you, the wind, and the wilderness.

Sunrise over Rockford Common, New Forest. Credit Ragamuffin Brian, flickr

10 Fascinating Facts About Hampton Court Palace

Completed in 1515, Hampton Court was Henry VIII’s favorite summer residence. It epitomized Tudor fashion and style. But Henry didn’t have it built. He seized it.

Hampton Court main entrance or 'Great Gate'. Credit Duncan Harris
Hampton Court main entrance or ‘Great Gate’. Credit Duncan Harris

Designed by Henry’s closest advisor, Thomas Wolsey, Hampton Court Palace was originally conceived as Wolsey’s own home—as a reward to himself for becoming Cardinal in 1515.

Hampton Court moat. Credit David Farquhar, flickr
Hampton Court moat. Credit David Farquhar, flickr

Sparing no expense, Wolsey used glittering painted red brick with a black diamond pattern, white mortar joints and dozens of decorative chimneys—the largest collection in England.

Decorative Tudor chimneys of Hampton Court Palace. Credit Cristian Bortes
Decorative Tudor chimneys of Hampton Court Palace. Credit Cristian Bortes
Hampton Court Palace fountain. Credit Peter Trimming
Hampton Court Palace fountain. Credit Peter Trimming

Its opulence provoked gossip that it was finer than any of the King’s own palaces. So Wolsey smartly deflected criticism by saying he had built it for Henry all along.

Wolsey, a quiet word, if you please … A little birdie tells me you’re building a rather grand palace on the river?
But, your majesty, I was keeping it as a surprise for your birthday.
Good man, Wolsey. I knew I could trust you. Keep it up!King Henry and Cardinal Wolsey
'Me and My King' Henry VIII and Cardinal Wolsey by Sir John Gilbert c. 1886
‘Me and My King’ Henry VIII and Cardinal Wolsey by Sir John Gilbert c. 1886

Interwoven into the stonework of Hampton Court is Catherine of Aragon’s royal emblem—pomegranate seeds that were meant to represent the potency of her kingdom. Next to it was carved the Tudor rose, indicating how serious Henry was about their relationship that lasted almost 24 years—longer than his five other marriages combined.

2. Hampton Court has the largest surviving 16th-century kitchens in the world

200 cooks worked slavishly from sunup to sundown to feed 800 guests when Henry’s entourage was staying at the palace.

The Great Fires at Hapton Court kitchens. Credit Kotomi Creations
The Great Fires at Hapton Court kitchens. Credit Kotomi Creations

Burning a ton of wood in each of six huge fireplaces, the cooks sweated buckets and were rewarded with as much beer as they could drink.

Hampton Court Kitchens. Credit David Farquhar, flickr
Hampton Court Kitchens. Credit David Farquhar, flickr
Hampton Court Kitchens. Credit David Farquhar, flickr
Hampton Court Kitchens. Credit David Farquhar, flickr

3. Hampton Court Palace was the ultimate Tudor sports and leisure complex

Its 16th-century tennis court is one of the oldest sporting venues in the world.

It is the prettiest thing in the world to see him play, his fair skin glowing through a shirt of the finest textureVenetian Ambassador
Henry VIII was a masterful tennis player
Henry VIII was a masterful tennis player

But jousting was Henry’s favorite sport. Set amongst the 60 acres of formal landscaped gardens there was a jousting complex. He saw himself as a chivalrous knight in armor and risked serious injury every time he took part.

Jousting knight in a modern reenactment. Credit David Ball
Jousting knight in a modern reenactment. Credit David Ball

Splinters from shattered lances could blind and serious cuts might mean literally bleeding to death.

The Boy's King Arthur by N.C. Wyeth, 1922


In 1536, Henry was knocked from his horse and crushed, as the horse—wearing armor and weighing probably half a ton—rolled over him, rendering him unconscious for two hours.

Opening an ulcer in his leg, Henry would suffer severe pain for the rest of his life. Some believe the constant pain changed him into an irascible tyrant.

Anne Boleyn was watching, and later suffered the miscarriage that would ultimately put her head on the block.

Anne Boleyn in the Tower by Edouard Cibot, 1835
Anne Boleyn in the Tower by Edouard Cibot, 1835

4. Hampton Court has many priceless works of art

Commissioned by Henry VIII and hanging on the walls of the palace’s Tudor apartments are enormous paintings that tell a story of Henry’s battlefield conquests.

The Field of the Cloth of Gold, c. 1545 in the Royal Collection at Hampton Court
The Field of the Cloth of Gold, c. 1545 in the Royal Collection at Hampton Court

To celebrate the birth of his only son and heir, Edward, Henry commissioned a series of spectacular tapestries.

Considered one of the finest pieces of decorative artwork from the Tudor period, the “Abraham Tapestries” depict stories from the life of the biblical prophet Abraham.

Made with cloth of gold, each tapestry cost Henry the price of a warship.

Tapestries in the Great Hall. Credit bvi4092, flickr
Tapestries in the Great Hall. Credit bvi4092, flickr

Painted by Italian Renaissance artist Andrea Mantegna between 1484 and 1492, the Triumphs of Caesar depict a triumphal military parade of Julius Caesar in the Gallic Wars.

Thought to be Mantegna’s greatest masterpiece, the paintings are the best examples of their kind ever created.

The Vase Bearers from the Triumphs of Caesar, Royal Collection, Hampton Court Palace, c 1500
The Vase Bearers from the Triumphs of Caesar, Royal Collection, Hampton Court Palace, c 1500

5. The Great Hall was a token of love from Henry to Anne Boleyn

The ceiling of the Great Hall of Hampton Court Palace. Credit David Iliff
The ceiling of the Great Hall of Hampton Court Palace. Credit David Iliff
Henry VIII's First Interview with Anne Boleyn by Daniel Maclise, R.A. - 1835
Henry VIII’s First Interview with Anne Boleyn by Daniel Maclise, R.A. – 1835

The term “eavesdroppers” comes from the colorful little faces hanging from the eaves of the Great Hall looking down on courtiers below. A reminder that walls have ears.

Hampton Court Eavesdropper. Credit Matt Brown
Hampton Court Eavesdropper. Credit Matt Brown

After Anne Boleyn’s execution, Henry wiped all traces of her from Hampton court, apart from one of her symbols that the workmen missed. It remains to this day.

6. Hampton Court was the birthplace of the Church of England

Henry broke with the Roman Catholic church after Pope Clement VII failed to grant him an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so that he could marry Anne Boleyn.

Ahem … we’ve been watching you Mr. Tudor. Just how many wives does a King of England need? For all we know, you won’t stop until you’ve had six. Annulment denied. Next …
Pope Clement VII and King Henry VIII
Pope Clement VII and King Henry VIII

Despite being opposed to Protestantism, Henry appointed himself Supreme Head of the Church of England to ensure the annulment of his marriage. Pope Paul III excommunicated him in 1538.

7. Hampton Court was the place for Tudor ladies to be seen in all their finery

Arriving suitably attired meant a lot of preparation, with up to five layers of clothing.

Tudor costumes at Hampton Court Palace. Credit Mary Harrsch, flickr
Tudor costumes at Hampton Court Palace. Credit Mary Harrsch, flickr

This portrait of Henry VIII’s third wife, Jane Seymour, shows the foresleeves that were separate pieces tied on with ribbons and matching the kirtle.

Jane Seymour, Queen of England by Hans Holbein the Younger, 1536
Jane Seymour, Queen of England by Hans Holbein the Younger, 1536
Queen Anne Boleyn at the Grand Jousting Tournament reenactment held at Hampton Court Palace. Credit KotomiCreations
Queen Anne Boleyn at the Grand Jousting Tournament reenactment held at Hampton Court Palace. Credit KotomiCreations

8. The Great Watching Chamber was built in honor of Jane Seymour

Built in honor of Jane Seymour, the only wife to produce a male heir, the Great Watching Chamber was where courtiers would wait to see Henry. The ceiling is a lavish latticework of gilt interspersed with colorful leather maches.

Ceiling of the Great Watching Chamber, Hampton Court Palace
Ceiling of the Great Watching Chamber, Hampton Court Palace

Less than two weeks after the birth of her only child, who became King Edward VI, Jane Seymour died of postnatal complications.

Stained glass window in the Great Watching Room. Credit David Farquhar
Stained glass window in the Great Watching Room. Credit David Farquhar

The only one of Henry’s wives to receive a queen’s funeral, Jane’s heart and lungs are kept inside a lead box hidden behind the altar of the chapel at Hampton Court.

The Chapel, Hampton Court Palace, 1819
The Chapel, Hampton Court Palace, 1819

9. Hampton Court was the home of King William III and Queen Mary II

William III and Mary II
William III and Mary II

Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to redesign the palace in the style of Versailles. Lack of funds meant that only half the palace was rebuilt.

The East Front, Hampton Court Palace. Credit MrsEllacott
The East Front, Hampton Court Palace. Credit MrsEllacott
Staircase, Hampton Court Palace. Credit MrsEllacott
Staircase, Hampton Court Palace. Credit MrsEllacott
A view of Queen Mary's State Bedchamber at Hampton Court Palace
A view of Queen Mary’s State Bedchamber at Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Privy Garden. Credit Matt Brown
Hampton Court Privy Garden. Credit Matt Brown
Hampton Court Palace, William III Apartments. Credit KotomiCreations, flickr
Hampton Court Palace, William III Apartments. Credit KotomiCreations, flickr

10. Hampton Court was a fusion of architectural styles and periods

The Hampton Court we see today is a unique fusion of two different styles of architecture—Tudor and Baroque—and two different worlds set 150 years apart, covering the Tudor and the Stuart eras.

Even its ghosts travel across the threshold of time.

Anne Boleyn Ghost
Anne Boleyn Ghost

References
Wikipedia.org
Historic Royal Palaces
Secrets of Iconic British Estates

10 Fascinating Facts about Windsor Castle

Noted for its architecture and long association with the royal family, Windsor Castle is a royal residence at Windsor in the English county of Berkshire.
Here are 10 fascinating facts about this magnificent castle, some of which you may find surprising.

1. Windsor Castle was part of William the Conqueror’s plan to subjugate Saxon Britain

The year was 1066. William, Duke of Normandy had just accomplished the unthinkable by defeating the last Saxon king of England, Harold Godwinson, at the Battle of Hastings.

Now he could implement his strategy for conquest by building a series of castles to consolidate his power.

He marched inland, first to Dover, securing a strategic position with a motte and bailey castle, then onto London itself.

Blocking the city with three mighty castles, including the Tower of London, he sought to suppress any opposition completely.

It was his ring of nine castles, each about 25 miles apart and a day’s march from London, where our story begins.

The most impressive of these is Windsor Castle—an immense citadel rising from the banks of the River Thames as it passes through the county of Berkshire.

Windsor Castle, Sanford Robinson Gifford, c. 1860
Windsor Castle, Sanford Robinson Gifford, c. 1860
Windsor Castle at Castle Hill. Credit diamond geezer
Windsor Castle at Castle Hill. Credit diamond geezer

2. Inside the castle walls is the Mother Church to English chivalry

Considered by the historian John Martin Robinson to be “one of the supreme achievements of English Perpendicular Gothic”, St George’s Chapel was the creation of Edward III, founder of the Order of the Garter—the highest order of chivalry in the United Kingdom.

St. Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle. Credit Aurelien Guichard
St. Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle. Credit Aurelien Guichard
The Choir of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Credit Josep Renalias
The Choir of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. Credit Josep Renalias

Every June, members of the order meet at Windsor Castle for the annual Garter Service. After lunch at the State Apartments of Windsor Castle, the knights don their robes and insignia and proceed on foot down to St George’s Chapel where the service is held.

The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain, established by King Edward III nearly 700 years ago.

The first occasion on which all four of Queen Elizabeth's children had attended the Garter Service. Credit Philip Allfrey
Knights Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, in procession to St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle for the annual service of the Order of the Garter. Credit Philip Allfrey.

Members of the Royal Family attend the Most Noble Order of the Garter Ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London on June 13, 2016. From left: Queen Elizabeth II; Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge; Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

3. Windsor Castle is the longest-occupied palace in Europe

Used as a residence by monarchs since the reign of Henry I, the castle has undergone many changes during its long history, often at colossal expense.

“a superb and unrivalled sequence of rooms”

—art historian Hugh Roberts

Born at Windsor Castle, Edward III spent lavishly on an expansion. His military victories in France at Crecy, Poitiers, and Calais helped pay for “the most expensive secular building project of the entire Middle Ages in England”.

Henry VIII enjoyed Windsor as a royal playground for shooting, dancing, wrestling, tennis, and even songwriting. He is purported to have spent the equivalent of £295 million in 2008 terms ($420 million) on work that included hiring Italian architect Benedetto Grazzini to convert the Lady Chapel into an Italian Renaissance design.

St George's Hall, by Charles Wild, 1816
St George’s Hall, by Charles Wild, 1816

Windsor Castle was one of Elizabeth I’s favorite residences and she spent more money on it than any of her other residences.

Charles II liked to imitate Louis XIV of France, creating “the most extravagantly Baroque interiors ever executed in England”.

“the finest and most complete expression of later Georgian taste”

—art historian Hugh Roberts

Another £100 million ($142 million) in 2008 terms was spent by George III on Gothic restyling work, which paled in comparison to the £817 million ($1.2 billion) in 2008 terms lavished by his son and successor George IV.

The Queen's Drawing Room, by Charles Wild, 1816
The Queen’s Drawing Room, by Charles Wild, 1816

The sumptuous State Apartments were described by the art historian Hugh Roberts as “a superb and unrivaled sequence of rooms widely regarded as the finest and most complete expression of later Georgian taste”.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made Windsor their primary home and hub for all the diplomatic and state visits of the rapidly expanding British Empire.

4. Prince Albert died at Windsor Castle in 1861

Despite ill health, Albert had taken over most of the royal duties while Victoria grieved the death of her mother.

One pressing concern was that Edward, Prince of Wales had been carrying on an affair with an Irish actress named Nellie Clifden, causing some upset in the royal household over the potential for scandal or even pregnancy.

As if that worry wasn’t enough, Prince Albert had to intervene to prevent war with the United States over the Trent Affair.

Having suffered stomach cramps for two years, Albert’s health finally gave out on the night of 14 December, 1861 in the Blue Room at Windsor Castle.

Albert, Prince Consort, on his deathbed at Windsor Castle, with members of the royal family and the royal household in attendance, 14 December 1861. Credit Wellcome Images
Albert, Prince Consort, on his deathbed at Windsor Castle, with members of the royal family and the royal household in attendance, 14 December 1861. Credit Wellcome Images

Although diagnosed as having typhoid fever, modern scholars believe his stomach cramps may have been due to a chronic disease such as abdominal cancer.

5. Queen Victoria became known as “the Widow of Windsor”

Victoria kept the castle in a state of mourning for many years, becoming known as the “Widow of Windsor”, a phrase popularized in the famous poem by Rudyard Kipling that pays tribute to the “poor beggars in red” who fought around the globe to expand her empire.

‘Ave you ‘eard o’ the Widow at Windsor
With a hairy gold crown on ‘er ‘ead?
She ‘as ships on the foam—she ‘as millions at ‘ome,
An’ she pays us poor beggars in red.

Shunning Buckingham Palace after Albert’s death, Queen Victoria used Windsor Castle as her main residence for conducting official duties near London.

Despite major technological advances of the era, like electric lighting, Queen Victoria preferred candles and kept the castle famously cold and drafty.

Queen Victoria and Princess Beatrice in the Queen’s Sitting Room in 1895, photographed by Mary Steen.

Victoria’s later portraits are of a sad, stately old lady, staring into space. What was she thinking?

Perhaps, she was dreaming of a beautiful sunny day at Windsor Castle with Albert and their firstborn, Victoria, Princess Royal.

Queen Victoria, by Bertha Müller, 1899
Queen Victoria, by Bertha Müller, 1899
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at home at Windsor Castle byE dwin Henry Landseer, 1843
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at home at Windsor Castle by Edwin Henry Landseer, 1843

6. Inspired by Windsor Castle, the Royal Family changed their last name to Windsor in 1917

Believing that their dynastic German name of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was bad for British morale during the First World War, King George V decided to take a new name after the castle.

'A good riddance' A 1917 Punch cartoon depicts King George sweeping away his German titles
‘A good riddance’ A 1917 Punch cartoon depicts King George sweeping away his German titles

On 17 July 1917, the Royal Family lineage changed from the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the House of Windsor.

7. Windsor Castle was a royal air-raid shelter during World War 2

While Londoners headed for the Underground railway to escape the horrors of Luftwaffe bombing in World War 2, the royal family used Windsor Castle as a refuge.

In 1939, when war with Germany was announced, Windsor Castle was readied for wartime. Security was tightened, windows were blacked-out, and staff were relocated to Windsor from Buckingham Palace.

The roof above the children’s room, where Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret were staying was strengthened, chandeliers were lowered to floor level to prevent damage in a bombing raid, and important works of art were removed for safekeeping.

Driving daily to London and returning to Windsor each night was a closely-guarded secret for the king and queen. It was considered good for morale to report that the king was staying full-time at Buckingham Palace.

The Castle Guard, formed from members of the training battalion, Grenadier Guards, leaving the main entrance of Windsor Castle on the way to Victoria Barracks in Windsor, 30 June 1940.

8. Windsor Castle has seen its fair share of fire, the most recent being in 1992

Windsor Castle endured serious fires in 1296 and 1853, but the most damaging was in 1992.

It was 20 November 1992, and renovations were being carried out on the Private Chapel of the State Apartments. Near the altar, a curtain is thought to have been too close to one of the spotlights used for the work, setting it alight—the fire quickly spreading to the staterooms.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Whilst 200 firefighters battled to control the blaze, castle staff hurriedly rescued precious artworks. Fortunately, many rooms had been emptied as part of the renovation work, so most of the collection was saved.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Lasting for 15 hours, the fire was eventually brought under control with more than 1.5 million gallons of water—causing additional damage to the castle structure.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Exactly who should pay for repairs was a controversial issue at the time. Since George III, profits from the monarch’s estate have been passed to the government in return for a fixed payment. To save money, the castle wasn’t insured and headlines ran in British newspapers calling for the Queen to pay from her private income. In the end, a deal was struck whereby the government paid for repairs in exchange for the opening of Buckingham Palace to the public.

Taking five years to complete at a total cost of £67 million ($95 million) in 2015 terms, the damaged rooms were restored using modern methods to recreate the appearance before the fire.

9. Windsor Castle has a 2.65-mile approach road

For such a spectacular castle, one would expect an equally spectacular approach, would one not?

Windsor Castle Long Walk. Credit Graemev2
Windsor Castle Long Walk. Credit Graemev2

At 2.65 miles long and 240 ft wide, this double-lined avenue of trees called “The Long Walk” runs through The Home Park—an area once set aside for deer hunting and mentioned in Shakespeare’s Merry Wives of Windsor.

Adjoining the larger Windsor Great Park, The Home Park has some of the oldest broad-leaved woodlands in Europe.

10. Windsor Castle is the largest continually inhabited castle in the world

Today, more than 500 people live and work in Windsor Castle – the largest inhabited castle in the world.

It is the preferred weekend residence of Her Majesty The Queen, whose standard flies from the Round Tower to show when she’s at home.

The Round Tower with the Queen's standard flying. Credit Nick Warner
The Round Tower with the Queen’s standard flying. Credit Nick Warner
Windsor Castle, east side gardens and facade. Credit David Watterson
Windsor Castle, east side gardens and facade. Credit David Watterson
Presentation of Colours by Her Majesty the Queen
Presentation of Colours by Her Majesty the Queen. Coldstream Guardsmen give three cheers to Her Majesty in Windsor Castle. Credit Defence Images

References

Wikipedia
Windsor Revealed by Brindle and Kerr, 1997.