History of Windsor Castle

• 1070s – William the Conqueror built a wooden motte-and-bailey fortress at Windsor, strategically located near the River Thames and Windsor Forest.
  
• 1110 – 1200s – King Henry I began using Windsor Castle as a royal residence, adding domestic quarters and a chapel. Later, King Henry II transformed the castle into a stone fortress, constructing the Round Tower and strengthening its defenses.
  
• 1200s – The castle underwent major repairs and expansions. A luxurious palace was built in the Upper Ward for the royal family, including the Lady Chapel.
  
• 1475 – King Edward IV commissioned St. George's Chapel, adding architectural grandeur and removing several buildings in the Lower Ward.
  
• 1550s–1600s – Monarchs including Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I enhanced the castle with fountains, expanded buildings for the Knights of Windsor, and converted the North Wharf into a stone terrace with statues and a banqueting house.
  
• 1600s–1800s – The castle was besieged during the English Civil War, and many valuables were looted. King Charles II and King George IV later restored and remodeled the castle with Baroque interiors.
  
• 1901 – King Edward VII modernized the castle, adding electric lighting, heating, telephone lines, and garages, while redecorating and decluttering many rooms.
  
• 1939–1940 – During World War II, the royal family and staff moved from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle. Artworks were taken down, chandeliers lowered, and new paintings by John Piper were commissioned.
  
• 1992 – A major fire destroyed parts of the castle, including nine State Apartments, prompting meticulous restoration that blended historic styles with modern techniques.
  
• Present – Windsor Castle remains an official residence of the British monarch, symbolizing royal power and tradition, and drawing visitors from around the world to explore over 900 years of history.

​History of Windsor Castle

Architecture of Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is a living chronicle of English history, showcasing over 900 years of architectural evolution.

• Its medieval core features crenellated battlements, a network of defensive parapets, cylindrical and polygonal towers, and the iconic Round Tower atop a man-made mound.
  
• Gothic influences are evident in St. George’s Chapel, with pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and stunning stained-glass windows.
  
• The State Apartments combine Georgian and Victorian styles, featuring richly carved and gilded ceilings, elaborate plasterwork, and intricate moldings.
  
• Walls are lined with priceless artwork, tapestries, mirrors, and crystal chandeliers, while furniture made from rare woods reflects royal taste and patronage.
  
• Floors often display intricate marble or parquet patterns, adding to the overall sense of regal splendour.
  
• Baroque interiors introduced under Charles II and Victorian Gothic elements by Jeffry Wyatville and Edward Blore enhance the castle’s grandeur.
  
• Following the 1992 fire, Giles Downes led a sensitive restoration that preserved historic details while incorporating modern techniques, blending past and present.
  
• Today, the castle stands as a testament to centuries of royal innovation, craftsmanship, and continuous adaptation.

​Architecture of Windsor Castle

Additional information about the Windsor Castle

• Gallows erected during the plague: In 1563, to enforce quarantine and prevent the spread of the plague from London to Windsor, Queen Elizabeth I had gallows set up in the town as a deterrent.
  
• Claude Whatham's pantomime art: During World War II, teenage evacuee Claude Whatham painted fairytale scenes on wallpaper to temporarily replace the portraits in the Waterloo Chamber. 
  
• Kimonos from royal curtains: King Charles III suggested repurposing old curtains from Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle into clothing. Students from The King’s Foundation crafted kimonos that were later auctioned for charity.
  
• Modest wine in the royal cellar: The royal wine committee stocks a mix of affordable wines for everyday events alongside expensive vintages for state banquets, catering to hundreds of annual functions.

​Facts about Windsor Castle