Hello and welcome back to our weekly blog where twice a week we get a new blog article to embark on a new adventure through history.
And today, In this article, we'll delve more into famous and cherished landmarks, i.e., the Windsor Castle and it’s immense cultural significance
The Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle, located in the English county of Berkshire, is a royal residence strongly associated with the British royal family and nearly a millennium of architectural history. Windsor symbolises Britain's strength and power as the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world.
The 484,000-square-foot castle features over 1,000 rooms, more than 300 fireplaces, and a substantial royal collection of paintings, armours, and furniture. The castle's design and architecture reflect the numerous stylistic changes it has gone through over the past few years. This includes styles such as Norman, Baroque, and Gothic, all thanks to the influence of all the past kings and queens who have once called it home. And all that just comes to show how historically monumental this is.
Tales of Origin
The Windsor Castle is considered the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. It has been in almost continuous use since around 1070 when William built it I (also known as William the Conqueror) after winning the Battle of Hastings. As the first Norman king of England, William I designed Windsor as a typical Norman castle with a central round tower (known as a keep) on an artificial earthen mound (also called a motte), set within a walled courtyard. Originally constructed of timber, the keep was rebuilt in stone around 1225.
Of course, as time flew the castle underwent endless expansions and transformations, evolving from a defensive structure into an elegant royal residence designed for comfort and elegance. Today, Windsor Castle covers 13 acres and combines features of a fortification, a palace, and a small town.
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St. George’s Chapel
St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle serves as a chapel and royal mausoleum, containing the bodies of notable royals such as Henry VI, Edward IV, Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, Charles I, Edward VII, and George V. While other royals, including George III, George IV, and William IV, are buried at Albert Memorial Chapel within Windsor Castle.
History within the walls
As mentioned before, Windsor Castle is well… huge and vast. So it’s no wonder that there would be a substantial royal collection of paintings, armours, and furniture to rival any museum, present within these walls. One such object is the bullet that killed Admiral Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar, which as strange or maybe a little odd as it sounds is an object of great historic interest.
Another one of Windsor Castle's most fawned-over treasures is Queen Mary’s dollhouse, a 1:12 scale miniature royal palace built between 1921 and 1924 as a gift from the nation to Queen Mary.
Tale of Tragedy: Fire at Windsor
Unfortunately, tragedy struck on November 20, 1992, when a devastating fire broke out at Windsor Castle, nearly destroying years of history. The fire started in Queen Victoria’s private chapel when a faulty spotlight ignited a curtain next to the altar. The flames quickly engulfed St George’s Hall, a medieval banquet hall, and became unstoppable. The Windsor staff acted heroically, removing precious works of art from the royal collection to save them from the fire's path. I guess not all heroes wear capes huh? But despite their efforts, 115 rooms were damaged, including the Grand Reception Room.
But of course, despite such an unforeseen tragedy, the castle was soon restored. The restoration was completed on November 20, 1997.
Conclusion
The Windsor Castle is a powerful symbol of the British monarchy's long history and resilience. From its origins as a Norman fortress to its current role as a royal residence, the castle has witnessed centuries of change and adaptation. Its architectural beauty, historical artefacts, and cultural heritage make it a unique landmark, a testament to the British legacy.
Written by: Stella Lockwood
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