Carisbrooke Castle Newport Isle of Wight

Carisbrooke Castle, Newport, Isle of Wight

Historic Carisbrooke Castle is located in the village of Carisbrooke, near Newport, on the Isle of Wight. King Charles I was imprisoned at Carisbrooke Castle in the months leading up to his trial and subsequent execution in 1649.

A museum on the premises describes how he tried to escape from the castle in 1648, but was unable to get through the bars of his window. After his death, his two youngest children were confined in Carisbrooke Castle, and Princess Elizabeth died there.

The castle has a long history

History

The site of Carisbrooke Castle has probably been occupied since pre-Roman times. The site became an Anglo-Saxon stronghold during the 8th century. Around 1000 AD, a wall was built around the hill in order to defend against Viking raids. Between 1066 and 1086, William FitzOsbern was granted the Isle of Wight, and he probably built the first castle to secure the Isle of Wight for the Normans.

Entrance gate to the castle

The visitor to the castle can climb the seventy-one steps leading up to the keep which commands a fine view. Domestic buildings, which are mostly from the 13th century, occupy the centre of the castle enclosure. Some of these buildings are in ruins, but the main rooms served as the official residence of the Governor of the Isle of Wight until the 1940’s, and they are in good repair. Rooms open to the public include the Great Hall, Great Chamber, and several smaller rooms.