Discount Hotels Windsor
Historical interest: Windsor
    
Windsor is, of course, best known for its castle, home of the British monarchy
and the largest inhabited castle in the world. It has been suggested that it
was built on the site of a Celtic camp where King Arthur or one of his subordinates
lived, as the town is mentioned a couple of times in Arthurian literature. William
the Conqueror picked the site for a defensive wooden motte and bailey castle,
soon after 1066. It was totally rebuilt in stone during the 12th and 13th century
when the castle became more popular with the English Kings.
With such an obvious centre for Royal patronage and trade, the settlement of
Windsor quickly grew up between the Castle and the Thames. Its right to hold
a market, dating from before 1261, reveals the place's status as an early town.
Edward I was the first to make Windsor Castle a real family home. He held his
coronation feast at the castle in 1275, with jousting in the surrounding park,
and four of his children were born within its walls. The tone changed in King
Edward III's reign when many prisoners, including foreign royalty were held
at Windsor.
The Chapel Royal at Windsor Castle was originally built by King Henry III and
later enlarged by Edward III, in 1363, as a canonical collegiate chapel. St.
George, as the country's new patron saint, was chosen for the dedication.
The religious turmoil of King Henry VIII's reign impacted heavily on Windsor.
In 1536, during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, two Windsor men were hanged
for their overly catholic beliefs. Local tradition suggests the two bodies were
then displayed from the top of the Curfew Tower.
King Charles I was not a popular man in Windsor during the years prior to the
Civil War. In fact, the House of Commons showed concern that he was raising
"forces at this time without the consent of Parliament" and there
was rioting in the town; the King, thus, moved north. Troops were billeted throughout
the town by the thousand, and Fairfax and Cromwell were frequent visitors. Royalist
prisoners even populated the castle and horses were stabled in St. George's
Chapel.
Much survived destruction, however, as did the castle itself, to be restored
and added to during the reigns of Charles II, George IV and Queen Victoria until
the building we see today was created.
In 1992 a fire broke out in the Royal apartments, leading to extensive renovations.
Today the town and castle are more popular among tourists than ever.
Selection of hotels in this region:
The Grovefield House Hotel | | The Christopher Hotel | | Royal Adelaide Hotel | | Sir Christopher Wren's House Hotel | | Oakley Court Hotel and 15 days parking | | Macdonald Hotels, The Castle Hotel | | Oakley Court Hotel | |
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
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