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Castle Rising, Norfolk

Castle Rising was built around 1140 by William D'Albini following his marriage to the widow of Henry I. During the reign of Henry's successor, Henry II , William was one of the most powerful nobles in England. Both his royal wife, and Castle Rising reflected William's individual power. Later in his reign, Henry II would try and limit the influence of powerful barons by swapping them around between castles. His aim was to make sure that no one individual became too closely associated with these great symbols of authority. Castle Rising was built at a time when state power was growing. Castles were less tools of individuals, and more tools of government.

Castle Rising played its most prominent role in English history two hundred years later, in the fourteenth century, when it was the home of Queen Isabella, wife of Edward II. In 1327 Isabella, conspired with her lover Roger Mortimer to murder her husband. Following the murder, Isabella's fourteen year old son Edward technically became Edward III . But for two years Isabella and Mortimer ran the country. Eventually young Edward III 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 most 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 a room where her confessor had his lodging. When not on her knees trying to gain absolution for murdering a king of England, Isabella enjoyed herself entertaining in the great hall.

 

Defensive ditch at Castle Rising

As is often the case with castles, Castle Rising was used as a symbol. Ancient connotations of phyiscal and spiritual security were used to give the impression that past problems had been shut away. Clearly, as Isabella rode out on hunting trips into the Norfolk countryside on summer mornings, the actual defenses of her enforced home 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 Castle Rising a sense of romance was undimmed as rain fell into the great hall, and water ran down 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. As noted by custodian Norman Fahey, (see Mixed Messages in History Magazine January 2009 P84) ) there are many church-like decorations at Castle Rising. There is a highly decorated frieze on the external face of the main stairway wall, which replicates the "blind arcades" - a decorative row of arches applied to a wall - often found in cathedrals and churches. Have a look at the photo at the top of this page. You can see the blind arcade running along the lower wall on the left side of the building. Norman chevrons around the Great Hall doorway are also found in several nearby churches. The main carving above the entrance to the ante-chapel is a "tongue-poker", a carving of some childish face pulling, which is common in many churches of the period. It was this combination of spiritual and physical authority in a castle's design that Henry II was worried about back in the twelfth century, when he tried to make sure that no one noble became associated with any one castle. Read more of the link between churches and castles on our history of castles page.

After Isabella's death the castle was used by Edward III'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. From 2nd November to 31st March, Wednesday to Sunday 10am - 4pm.

Closed 24th - 26th December

Address: Castle Rising, Castle Rising, Norfolk PE31 6AH .

Directions: Castle Rising is a few miles north of Kings Lynn 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.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/castle-rising-castle/