Winchester Castle

Winchester Castle
Hampshire, England
The great hall, built by Henry III
Coordinates51°03′45″N 1°19′14″W / 51.06243°N 1.32054°W / 51.06243; -1.32054
Grid referenceSU476295
Site information
OwnerHampshire County Council
OperatorHampshire Cultural Trust
Open to
the public		Yes
ConditionThe great hall remains, used as a museum
Site history
MaterialsStone
Battles/warsThe Anarchy
English Civil War
EventsTrial of Walter Raleigh
Bloody Assizes

Winchester Castle was a royal castle in Winchester, Hampshire, England. It was founded in 1067 by William the Conqueror. As of March 2024, the great hall was operated by Hampshire Cultural Trust.

History

Early history

The Romans built a big earth rampart around 70 AD. On top of it, they built a fort. The fort was built to protect the city of Venta Belgarum. The fort was chosen by William the Conqueror – it became one of the first Norman castles in England.

Middle ages

Stained glass window in the great hall

Henry III was born at Winchester Castle. Between 1222 and 1235, he added the great hall.

In 1302, Edward I and his wife nearly died when their living area was on fire.

Edward II added extensions.

Later history

In 1580, the nun Elizabeth Sander (and other Catholics) were imprisoned in the castle. She escaped. However, she came back to show that Catholics followed the law.

Elizabeth I became the queen of England in 1558. After this, the royal family didn't live in the castle.

The castle is a Grade I listed building. It was first listed on 13 January, 1915.

Queen Eleanor's Garden

Queen Eleanor's Garden (a medieval-style garden) was created in 1986. It is behind the great hall.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Express, Britain. "Winchester Castle | Historic Winchester Guide". Britain Express. Retrieved 5 September 2026.
  2. 1 2 "The Great Hall with Westgate Museum". Historic Winchester. Retrieved 5 September 2026.
  3. 1 2 McIlwain, John (1994). Winchester Castle & the Great Hall. Norwich: Jarrold. ISBN 0-85372703-1.
  4. ↑ "Sander [Sanders, Saunders], Elizabeth (d. 1607), Bridgettine nun and writer". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/105928. ISBN 978-0-19-861412-8. Retrieved 4 March 2021. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  5. ↑ "Winchester Castle, Non Civil Parish - 1001959 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2026.

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