Warwick+Castle

By SEM7 From wood to stone, a castle still stands tall and proud as Renaissance history in England.As it sheltered and protected many people, it was also a reliable source in transportation. Warwick Castle was full of a history of a long line of Earls and many construction orders. With a full pit prison, two towers, and a stage dining hall, Warwick has many creations as part of its architecture. With so many rulers, some much history was made. With its qualities of architecture and construction and location of choice, Warwick was built for many reasons ( Warwick Castle).

Warwick Castle was ordered to be built by a man by the name of William the Conqueror. The castle was named Warwick because it is related to its location. Warwick means, “ //dwellings by the weir//”. A weir is a fence that is built across a stream to catch fish, almost like a net. This was a perfect name knowing that the castle was built by the River Avon, which was a great advantage to Warwick because it provided resources and transportation. When it was built, the men could easily get boats through to the castle for goods and construction.

Not only was it on the river, but also the castle was built on 60 acres of ground and it is located in Warwick town center. William the Conqueror had ordered the wooden Motte and Bailey Castle, which was used to defend, and the controlling of the English indigenous population in 1068, to be built but it turned into a stone fortress and is what now Warwick Castle. In 1260, men reinforced the castle from wood to stone. It has, today, a complete pit prison and two towers, the Guy and Caesar’s Towers, finished around the fourteenth century.

As the whole idea came together, the castle had its unique architecture and now its many unique qualities. Because the castle was built by the river, it acted as a fortified post and provided a base for men, provisions, and horses so they could be housed. This was continually a job for the castle. Warwick also provided site from the Normans, whom at the time, were governing the surrounding district. Warwick Castle was used for a great deal of refuge and cover from unwanted guests. It was used that way because it was also created to overawe and frighten the poor native people.

From scaring away people to sheltering them, the castle also was a very royal power base. It was not just a shabby fortress. With that power, Warwick also became a prison to the people. With being a prison, there came a bloody history full murder and mystery and treachery, but there were many joyful events and historians that visited the Warwick Castle. Queen Elizabeth I for instance came to visit the castle in 1572 and she also came to lunch at the castle a few times. John Dudley, a very famous archer from England, also visited Warwick along with Lady Jane Grey and many others.

As said, Warwick wasn’t always full of dread from the War of the Roses to the Civil War and the Age of Chivalry with Knights. There were tournaments and feasts and many stories. Stories date back to the Romans, Celts, Saxons, and the Vikings. They provided insight to the location. The War of Roses occurred in 1449 when Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, defeated Edward IV from power and pushed Henry VI back to being king, Richard was given the name "Kingmaker" for his duty of restoring Henry VI to power. Unfortunately, in the Battles of Barnett, Edward IV got his revenge and killed the Kingmaker in 1471 ( Warwick Castle).

In insight, from architecture to location with meaning, Warwick Castle in England is one of the most well known castles around the world. A fortress, a shelter, a post, a prison, a royal and provided base, or a scary invader to native population of England, whatever it may be, Warwick castle is something unique.

__**Warwick Castle** __

 Works Cited

"Warwick Castle." Castles. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar 2012. .

"Warwick Castle"." Warwick Castle. Meriln Entertainments Group, 2011. Web. 15 Mar 2012. .


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