Detailed history of Windsor Castle | Timeline, events, and more

Windsor Castle, a historic royal residence in Berkshire, England, is renowned for its architectural grandeur. It holds the distinction of being the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world.

The architecture is a mix of styles, blended with some Gothic and Baroque touches. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, this castle acts as the perfect time capsule of British history. Guests from all over the world visit the castle to walk through the fancy State Apartments, get a peek into the beautiful St George's Chapel, and enjoy the gorgeous gardens.

Windsor Castle timeline

• 1070s: Following the Norman conquest of 1066, William the Conqueror built the first wooden fortress on the site because of its proximity to the River Thames and the Windsor Forest.
• 1165-1179: Henry II expanded the castle and constructed the first stone castle and the first King’s Gate with Bagshot Heath stone, fortifying it against potential threats.
• 1216-1230: Henry III repaired the castle after it was besieged under King John's rule, further strengthening its defenses and building three new towers.
• 1240-1263: Henry III built a luxurious palace in the Upper Ward for his queen and children, including the Lady Chapel, which was comparable in size and extravagance to the Sainte-Chapelle.
• 1350-1377: Edward III began expansion, rebuilding Henry III's palace, setting the foundation for the Order of the Garter, and turning Windsor into a grand royal residence.
• 1475: Edward IV commissioned the construction of St George's Chapel, adding architectural magnificence and dismantling several buildings in the Lower Ward.
• 1488: Henry VII completed the roof of St George's Chapel and converted the Lady Chapel into a shrine for Henry VI. He remodeled the King's Chamber and used Windsor for international diplomatic events.
• 1550s-1600s: Edward VI used the castle as a haven amidst political strife. A fountain was added, and Mary I expanded the buildings used by the Knights of Windsor. Elizabeth I added brass cannons, constructed more modest buildings, and repaired existing structures. She converted the North Wharf into a stone terrace with statues, carvings, and a banqueting house. The chapel was refitted with stalls, a gallery, and a new ceiling.
• 1642-43: John Venn took control of the castle during the English Civil War when the valuable contents of St George's Chapel were looted. The castle became the headquarters for the Earl of Essex.
• 1660: Following the restoration of the monarchy, Charles II initiated restoration and remodeling projects with Baroque interiors, enhancing the castle's grandeur, inspired by Louis XIV's style and French design.
• 1740s-1760s: Before George III's Gothic renovation, the castle was a tourist attraction for wealthier visitors who could afford to see the castle and gardens, including the castle’s narwhal horn. He built new battlements and turrets, a new Gothic staircase, and a Grand Vestibule ceiling above it. He bought paintings for the royal collection and moved many artworks from other palaces.
• 1820: George IV and architect Jeffry Wyatville made the castle and the buildings appear more dramatic and taller in the French Rococo style.
• 1901: Edward VII modernized the castle, decluttering and redecorating many rooms. Electric lighting, heating, telephone lines, and automobile garages were added.
• 1939-1940: At the beginning of World War II, royalty and staff from Buckingham Palace were shifted to Windsor Castle. Artworks were taken down, chandeliers lowered, and new paintings of the castle by John Piper were commissioned.
• 1992: A devastating fire engulfed a significant portion of the castle, including 9 State Apartments, leading to a meticulous restoration effort of the castle in a modern style.
• Present: Windsor Castle remains an official residence of the British monarch, serving as a symbol of royal power and tradition. It attracts visitors from all over, showcasing over 900 years of history and architectural magnificence.

Construction of Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, has a history spanning nearly a millennium. Its construction reflects the changing tastes of the monarchs who have resided there.

William the Conqueror strategically chose the site for Windsor Castle around 1070. The initial castle was a motte-and-bailey structure, consisting of a wooden keep atop a man-made mound enclosed by a wooden stockade and a bailey (enclosed courtyard). Windsor began its transformation into a royal residence under Henry I from around 1110. Henry II rebuilt the original Norman keep in stone as the Round Tower, a defining feature of Windsor. Over the next 60 years, the outer perimeter walls were also rebuilt in stone, enhancing the castle's defenses.

Edward III undertook the most extensive and expensive medieval building plan at Windsor, transforming it from a military fortification into a grand Gothic palace between 1350 and 1377. Under the direction of the Bishop of Winchester, the Upper Ward was largely rebuilt to create luxurious royal apartments for the King and Queen, arranged around internal courtyards. St. George's Chapel, within the Lower Ward, was begun by Edward IV in 1475 and completed in 1528 under Henry VIII. 

George IV, with architect Jeffry Wyatville, made dramatic external changes to give the castle a more imposing silhouette, including raising the height of the Round Tower and adding battlements. He also created the Grand Corridor and the Waterloo Chamber and lavishly redecorated the interiors in the French Empire style.