Building England

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Building Englands Castles

• A look at some of the chosen locations and
  building materials, and a peek into their history

Kathy Deraitus September 1, 2006
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Locations of Corfe, Lulworth and Portland Castles
Map by Google.com
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Introduction

• Castles
• Location
• Materials
• Design

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Location

• Military Defenses
• Kings and Queens
• Lords and Ladies
• Lowliest Peasants
• Show of Strength and Power/Royal Retreat
• Mighty Symbol of Middle Ages

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MaterialsHistoric Progression

• Hill forts of ditches and banks
• Timber fortifications
• Stone

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Corfe Castle
Located northwest of Swanage on the Isle of
Purbeck
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Corfe CastleLocation

• Built on a natural conical hill of chalk
• Overlooking a ravine used as a main route to the
  inland

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Corfe CastleMaterials

• Local Purbeck limestone

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Corfe CastleMaterials

• Wall fillerchert pebbles
• Wide wall structures were made up of inner and
  outer walls and filler material

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Corfe CastleDesign

• The Keep, or the inner tower, was the heart of
  the Norman castle

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Corfe CastleDesign

• Herringbone pattern comes from a Saxon style of
  stone work

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Corfe CastleHistory

• Untimely visit of King Edward

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Lulworth CastleLocation

• Sits on 20 sq miles of hunting lands
• Beautiful coastline
• Built as a hunting lodge for entertaining royalty

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Lulworth CastleMaterials

• Constructed from Purbeck-Portland limestone
• Quarried from Tilly Whim Caves, Dancing Ledge and
  Winspit

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Lulworth CastleDesign

• Classical appearance
• Not built for defense
• Built for looksfor attracting royalty

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Portland CastleLocation
English Heritage Photo Library

• Overlooks Portland harbor on the northeast coast
  of the Isle of Portland
• Strategic defensive location

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Portland CastleMaterials
English Heritage Photo Library

• Made from local white Portland limestone
• Quarried from the Isle of Portland

English Heritage Photo Library
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Portland CastleDesign
English Heritage Photo Library

• Built as an artillery fort
• Also known as a device fort
• Henry VIII was personally involved in the
  castles design

English Heritage Photo Library
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Summary

• Location
• Chosen according to needsusually for defense
• Materials
• Evolved from dirt to timber to stone
• Stone quarried locally
• Design
• Critical for military success