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I'm a self-professed anglophile, meaning I love anything English. After three trips to this small country, I realize I've only scratched the surface. Eventually, I hope to visit all the stately homes and castles in England, but that could take a lifetime!
The home of Kings and Queens for nine centuries, Windsor Castle near London, is the oldest royal residence still in use today. Windsor encompasses nearly 13 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and is the largest castle in England. Standing on a hill of chalk near the Thames, it was originally built to guard the city of London.
William the Conqueror began this exceptional royal fortress, perhaps about the time the Tower of London was started in 1078. Not long after it was erected, this military post began to be used as a residence. It happened to lie on the border of a large tract of forest in which Saxon kings had hunted for many years, basing themselves in a small lodge four miles downstream in a settlement called Windlesora. Hence the name, Windsor.
The castle probably consisted, as now, of a motte and large two baileys, enclosed by palisades. The stone fortifications followed in the 12th and 13th centuries. Over the decades, other English Kings added to the castle complex.
Today's visitor could easily spend an entire day at the castle, and we did. Queen Mary's Doll House is a popular attraction at Windsor. Created in 1921 to 1924, the Doll House is a remarkable example of minitatures, on a scale of one-twelfth life size. Features such as running water, electric lighting and working elevators make this miniature house extraordinary. It's often been called "the most famous" Doll House in the world.
The castle houses a fine collection of master drawings. The drawings had its beginnings in the 16th century when the famous series by Holbein probably came into the possession of King Henry VIII. Other works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael were added in the following century by the House of Stuart. Color reproductions can be purchased and make good souvenirs. Fine art, porcelain, sculpture and armor are also among the castle's extensive collections.
The term "fit for a King" could surely be used to describe the rooms at Windsor. From a historical perspective, the most noteworthy is St. George's Chapel, resting place of ten English sovereigns. Prince Albert, Henry VIII, and George V are among the royal tombs. The Chapel is a fine example of late Medieval architecture, begun in 1475 and completed about fifty years later.
Other grand rooms include the Queen's Audience Chamber, with it's outstanding painted ceiling, and the Waterloo Chamber, constructed to commemorate the famous victory over Napoleon. These are just two of many rooms open for viewing.
If you visit, be sure to go to the top of the Round Tower in the middle ward of the castle. If offers a wonderful view of the river and countryside. Unfortunately on November 20th, 1992. a fire raged at Windsor Castle for 15 hours. The resulting damage covered nine principle rooms and over a hundred other rooms. It's believed to have begun in the Private Chapel when a spotlight came into contact with a curtain over an extended period of time, igniting the fabric. Some 250 firefighters from five different fire brigades battled the blaze, using an incredible one and half million gallons of water.
The restoration project following the fire was a major effort, requiring five years work at a cost of nearly $60 million in American dollars.
The royal family often has a Christmas gathering at Windsor Castle and the queen is in residence at other times during the year.
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