Carisbrooke
 Castles |
Situated a mile or so from the present capital of the Isle of Wight, Newport, and overlooked by its mighty Norman castle is the pretty village of Carisbrooke with its numerous old cottages, inns and cobbled streets. During early medieval times it was the island's capital. The village is dominated by its beautiful parish church of St. Mary's which served as the church of a Benedictine priory before it was dissolved by Henry V in 1415.
The village's most famous attraction, however, is its castle, whose size and state of preservation make it one of the most significant castles of its kind in England. Built in the 11 th century by the invading Normans, it was expanded and strengthened by the 12 th century by a perimeter wall in which loop-holes for archers were inserted. The towers of the gatehouse have interesting features, illustrating the changing nature of warfare, illustrated by archery holes at the bottom and gun openings higher up while the development of canons required the building of a mile long outer wall intersected with bastions. Even without its subsequent fortifications, the Castle was captured only once, during its first siege in 1136.
Once inside the walls the visitor is confronted by the keep, which contains one of its two medieval wells, the other being located in the courtyard. The Castle's Great Hall accommodates a museum that contains exhibits from King Charles I's year long stay here at the time of the English Civil War during the mid 17 th century to seek refuge following the defeat of his army by the Parliamentarians of Oliver Cromwell. However, he was taken prisoner and kept here until he was sent to London to be executed. The museum also holds some of the poet Tennyson's possessions as well as an organ from the early 17 th century, the oldest in working order in Britain. The Castle's main attraction, however, is its donkey wheel which dates from the later 16 th century. It is the only one in working order in Britain, drawing water from a local stream.