Castle Rising

Castle Rising is one of the most important twelfth century castles in England.

The stone keep, with particularly fine arcading and embellishments on the fore building was built around 1140, by William D'Albini to show is increased importance on his marriage to Alice of Louvain, widow of Henry I.

Although the main section of the roof no longer exists the walls are fully intact and some of the rooms are in near perfect condition. This together with the massive earthworks, reaching in some places to 120 ft high ensures that Rising is a castle of national interest.

In its time Castle Rising has served as a hunting lodge, royal residence and for a brief time in the eighteenth century even housed a mental patient.

The most famous period in its history was when it was home to Queen Isabella the mother of Edward III, following her part in the murder of her husband, Edward II.

Records show that she was visited at Castle Ring on a number of occasions by her son Edward III. After Isabella's death the Castle was used as a hunting lodge by the Black Prince who spent considerable sums on restoration and improvement.

The castle passed to the Howard family in 1544 and it remains in their hands today, the current owner being a descendant of William D'Albini II.

Text courtesy Castle Rising.

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