InfoBritain

 

Castle Rising

Castle Rising was built around 1140 by William D'Albini following his marriage to the widow of the Norman king Henry the First. The castle played its most prominent role in English history in the fourteenth century when it became the home of Queen Isabella. In 1327 Isabella, wife of Edward the Second, conspired with her lover Roger Mortimer to murder Edward. Following the murder, Isabella's fourteen year old son Edward technically became Edward the Third. But for two years Isabella and Mortimer ran the country. Eventually young Edward captured Mortimer at Nottingham Castle, and had him executed. Retaining a fondness for his mother, she was sent into internal exile, at Castle Rising in north Norfolk. Ironically Isabella came to love Castle Rising. Although the main section of the roof has now gone, some sections of the castle are preserved in excellent condition. Visitors can still see the small chapel where Isabella spent long hours praying for forgiveness, and room where her confessor had his lodging. When not on her knees asking forgiveness Isabella enjoyed herself entertaining in the great hall.

 

Defensive ditch at Castle Rising

As is often the case with castles, the castle was used as a symbol, to give the impression that the problems of the past had been shut away. Clearly, as Isabella rode out on hunting trips into the Norfolk countryside on summer mornings, the actual defenses of the castle were not relevant. She was not a physical prisoner. It was the way the castle looked and the security it suggested that was important. The defensive ditch at Castle Rising is clearly reminiscent of the ditches at an ancient religious site such as Avebury. Castles are more than defensive positions. When I visited the sense of romance was undimmed as rain fell into the great hall,and water ran down the stone work in the ruined chapel. The spiritual succour that isabella sought in that chapel actually informs the architecture of castle Rising as a whole. Read more on the history of castles.

After Isabella's death the castle was used by Edward the Third's son, the Black Prince, who liked Castle Rising enough to spend large sums on its restoration and improvement. In 1544 the castle passed to the Howard family who still own it today. The site is managed by English Heritage, who provide a gift shop, coffee shop, and an audio guided tour.

 

 

Opening Times: 1st April to 1st November, open daily 10am - 6pm, or dusk if earlier in October. 2nd November to 31st March, Wednesday to Sunday 10am - 4pm. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Directions: Castle Rising is a few miles north of Kings Lyn off the A149. Click here for an interactive map centred on Castle Rising.

Access: There is wheelchair access to the shop and part of the grounds. But the castle itself would be difficult for the disabled. Adapted toilet facilities are provided at the shop.

 

 

Contact:

telephone: 01553 632330

web site: http://www.castlerising.co.uk/main.html