Shared description
Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle is one of Britain’s largest and most impressive historic sites. It began as a mediaeval fortress and became an Elizabethan Palace.
Geoffrey de Clinton began the massive Norman keep at the core of the fortress in the 1120s, and under Henry II Kenilworth became a royal castle. King John greatly strengthened it between 1210 and 1215, enlarging the surrounding watery 'mere' which effectively made it an island stronghold. Thus it could withstand an epic siege in 1266, when rebellious barons held out against Henry III's siege engines for six months, succumbing only to starvation.
During the late 14th century John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, rebuilt the splendid great hall and staterooms of Kenilworth's inner court, beginning the castle's transition into a palace and favourite residence of the Lancastrian and early Tudor kings.
However, the castle is probably best known as the home of Robert Dudley, the great love of Queen Elizabeth I. Dudley, Earl of Leicester, took possession of the castle in 1563. He then lavished fortunes on converting it into a great Renaissance 'prodigy house', designed to receive the queen and her close servants on her visits to Kenilworth in 1572 and 1575 during their ceremonial 'progresses' around her realm.
Link
- History of Kenilworth Castle (English Heritage)
Geoffrey de Clinton began the massive Norman keep at the core of the fortress in the 1120s, and under Henry II Kenilworth became a royal castle. King John greatly strengthened it between 1210 and 1215, enlarging the surrounding watery 'mere' which effectively made it an island stronghold. Thus it could withstand an epic siege in 1266, when rebellious barons held out against Henry III's siege engines for six months, succumbing only to starvation.
During the late 14th century John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, rebuilt the splendid great hall and staterooms of Kenilworth's inner court, beginning the castle's transition into a palace and favourite residence of the Lancastrian and early Tudor kings.
However, the castle is probably best known as the home of Robert Dudley, the great love of Queen Elizabeth I. Dudley, Earl of Leicester, took possession of the castle in 1563. He then lavished fortunes on converting it into a great Renaissance 'prodigy house', designed to receive the queen and her close servants on her visits to Kenilworth in 1572 and 1575 during their ceremonial 'progresses' around her realm.
Link
- History of Kenilworth Castle (English Heritage)by David Dixon
Created: Thu, 11 Aug 2011, Updated: Thu, 11 Aug 2011
52 images use this description. Preview sample shown below:
2024
2024
2024
2024
2024
2023
2023
2018
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2016
2016
2015
2011
2011
... and 27 more images.
Shared descriptions
This shared description
The 'Shared Description' text on this page is © copyright 2011 David Dixon.
Shared descriptions are specifically licensed so that contributors can reuse them on their own images, without restriction.
About shared descriptions
These Shared Descriptions are common to multiple images.
For example, you can create a generic description for an object shown in a photo, and reuse the description on all photos of the object. All descriptions are public and shared between contributors, i.e. you can reuse a description created by others, just as they can use yours.
Explore images
View images using this "Kenilworth Castle" Shared Description
View images mentioning the words [Kenilworth Castle] anywhere in text
Links for SP279723
This description is located in SP279723.
Other shared descriptions
Descriptions nearby
- Little Virginia, Kenilworth
- Abbey Fields, Kenilworth
- Crackley Wood
- Supercar Sunday
- Abbey Hill United Reformed Church, Kenilworth
- Abbey End, Kenilworth
- Hoar frost in Kenilworth December 2010
- Snow and cold weather in Kenilworth December 2010
- Henry Street, Kenilworth
- St. Barnabas Church, Kenilworth
- Arthur Street, Kenilworth
- Kenilworth Boxing Day Cyclocross
Related descriptions
- Little Virginia, Kenilworth
By Robin Stott. Used on 3 images
- Abbey Fields, Kenilworth
By John Brightley. Used on 63 images
- Arthur Street, Kenilworth
By John Brightley. Used on 10 images
- Henry Street, Kenilworth
By John Brightley. Used on 4 images
- Snow and cold weather in Kenilworth December 2010
By John Brightley. Used on 33 images
- Kenilworth Horse Fair, September 2016
By Robin Stott. Used on 16 images
- Kenilworth Boxing Day Cyclocross
By John Brightley. Used on 6 images
The above selections are automatic and approximate, it might not always select closely matching descriptions
