Carisbrooke Castle, Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight

Photograph taken September 2003 © Copyright Historic England Archive ref: nmr 23246/19

Standing on a partly-artificial elevation, Carisbrooke Castle occupies site of an earlier Saxon stronghold which replaced a Roman Castra. As the premier defensive site on the Isle of Wight, Carisbrooke was re-fortified by Elizabeth 1st against the perceived threat of the Spanish Armada. The north gate of the outer wall recalls this, and is inscribed ER 1598. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010). Find out more.

Location

Isle of Wight Carisbrooke

Period

Medieval (Middle Ages) (1066 - 1484)

Themes

A Roman fort originally stood on this site. After the Norman Conquest it was given to William the Conqueror's half-brother. By the end of the 11th century he had constructed a full scale Norman castle using the Roman walls. It lay uninhabited from the 16th century. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).

Carisbrooke Castle, Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight

Location

Period

Themes

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