Erected shortly after the Norman Conquest, by Roger de Montgomery in 1067, Arundel Castle was to protect the gap that had been carved by the River Arun through the South Downs. A large castle, of traditional motte-and-bailey design, with the motte 70 feet high and the baileys extending north and south when originally constructed. The buildings today rest on 12th century foundations and are predominantly from the late 1800s.
The castle is approached through a late 19th century lower lodge, across a wooden drawbridge and through the Barbican. Original Sussex flintwork on the walls of the south front can still be seen. The inner gateway built during the 11th century, is one of the earliest parts to survive.
During the 12th century, the Keep was constructed of Caen stone. Some of the fireplaces have survived and under the floor in the centre is a storeroom for provisions in case of a siege. The staircase to the wall walk gives magnificent views of the coast, the town, and the Cathedral. Nine feet thick curtain walls were built round the baileys, supported externally by flat buttresses. The arched entrance, ornamented with Norman mouldings was blocked up and replaced by a strong gate-tower built on the curtain wall of the south bailey. The domestic buildings occupied the south end of this bailey. The gate-tower was later heightened and a two-towered barbican added during the 13th century. The main entrance to the castle consists of the Stone Hall and Stairs and dates from the late Nineteenth Century.
After the Civil War, the castle remained in ruins for some fifty years. Some repairs were carried out from 1716, but major reconstruction work did not commence until 1787, when it was commissioned by the Eleventh Duke of Norfolk. However, even today, marks from the cannonballs fired during the siege of 1643 can be seen on the walls.
One of the most significant aspects of the Duke’s work is the library, which is now seen as one of the finest examples of Gothic rooms in the country today. In 1790, he constructed an addition to the courtyard side of The Gallery, which consisted of bed and dressing rooms. These were later refurbished, in anticipation of the visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and are named ‘The Victoria Rooms’.
A further restoration programme was carried out in the latter part of the 19th century, which included rebuilding of the domestic blocks, the Billiard Room (the first part of the castle to form an independent family residence), and restoring the Keep and the Barbican. The Chapel was built in Early English Gothic style with key features similar to those found in Salisbury and Canterbury Cathedrals.
Originally the private chapel, the Dining Room was created by the Eleventh Duke, and later redesigned for the Fifteenth Duke. The Baron’s Hall is a superb example of late Victorian architecture and replaced the smaller octagonal great hall built by the Eleventh Duke. The Baron’s Hall was built on the site of the original Medieval Hall.
The last work executed was the North East
Gateway, completed in 1906. At the entrance to the gateway, statues of the Howard Lion and the Fitzalan horse can be found. These statues originally located at the Norfolk suspension bridge were brought to Arundel in the 1930’s when the bridge was demolished.
The Official History of Arundel Castle
There is nearly 1,000 years of history at this great castle, situated in magnificent grounds overlooking the River Arun in West Sussex and built at the end of the 11th century by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel. The oldest feature is the motte, an artificial mound, over 100 feet high from the ditch, and constructed in 1068: followed by the gatehouse in 1070.
Under his Will, King Henry I (1068-1135) settled the Castle and lands in dower on his second wife, Adeliza of Louvain. Three years after his death she married William d’Albini II, who built the stone shell keep on the motte. King Henry II (1133-89), who built much of the oldest part of the stone Castle, in 1155 confirmed William d’Albini II as Earl of Arundel, with the Honour and Castle of Arundel.
The Castle Keep
It can be said that, apart from the occasional reversion to the Crown, Arundel Castle has descended directly from 1138 to the present day, carried by female heiresses from the d’Albinis to the Fitzalans in the 13th century and then from the Fitzalans to the Howards in the 16th century and it has been the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for over 850 years.
The 3rd Duke of Norfolk From the 15th to the 17th centuries the Howards were at the forefront of English history, from the Wars of the Roses, through the Tudor period to the Civil War. Among the famous members of the Howard family are the 2nd Duke of Norfolk (1443-1524), the victor of Flodden, Lord Howard of Effingham, who with Sir Francis Drake repelled the Armada in 1588, the Earl of Surrey, the Tudor poet and courtier, and the 3rd Duke of Norfolk (1473-1554), uncle of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, both of whom became wives of King Henry VIII (1491-1547).
These were politically dangerous times: the ‘Poet’ Earl was executed in 1547; his father, the 3rd Duke of Norfolk only escaped the death penalty because King Henry VIII died the night before the execution was due and the 4th Duke (1536-72) was beheaded for plotting to marry Mary Queen of Scots. There have been two cardinals and a saint in the Howard family; St Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel (1557-95) died in the Tower of London for his faith. The ‘Madagascar’ portrait of 14th Earl of Arundel and his wife
By contrast, his son, the ‘Collector’ 14th Earl (1585-1646), as his nickname suggests, was responsible for many of the treasures which can be seen today.
The results of all this history are concentrated at the Castle, which houses a fascinating collection of fine furniture dating from the 16th century, tapestries, clocks, and portraits by Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Mytens, Lawrence, Reynolds, etc.
The Cuenot Triptych is a triptych, which is a type of artwork divided into three sections or panels. In this case, the triptych depicts the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord. It is made from wood and ivory inlaid with mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell. The triptych format has been used in various contexts, including religious art, and it often features a central panel flanked by two smaller related works. Triptychs were popular for altar paintings during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and they allowed for ease of transport
Mary Queen of Scots’ Rosary and Prayer Book
Personal possessions of Mary, Queen of Scots and a selection of historical, religious and heraldic items from the Duke of Norfolk’s collection are also on display.
During the Civil War (1642-45), the Castle was twice besieged, first by Royalists who took control, then by a Parliamentarian force, and was badly damaged. Not much was done until about 1718 when Thomas, the 8th Duke of Norfolk (1683-1732) carried out some repairs. Charles Howard, the 11th Duke (1746-1815), known to posterity as the ‘Drunken Duke’ and friend of the Prince Regent, carried out much necessary restoration.
Portrait of Queen Victoria by William Fowler
There have been many royal visits: Queen Victoria (1819-1901) came from Osborne House with her husband, Prince Albert, for three days in 1846, for which the bedroom and library furniture were specially commissioned and made by a leading London furniture designer. Her portrait by William Fowler was specially commissioned by the 13th Duke in 1843. These can be seen during a visit.
The building we see now owes much to Henry,15th Duke of Norfolk (1847-1917). It was one of the first English country houses to be fitted with electric light, integral fire fighting equipment, service lifts and central heating. The gravity fed domestic water supply also supplied the town. Electricity cost over £36,000 to install, but the splendidly carved chimneypiece in the Drawing Room only cost £150!
Arundel Castle is now the home of The Duke and Duchess of Norfolk and their children.
The Duke of Norfolk is the premier Duke, the title having been conferred on Sir John Howard in 1483 by his friend King Richard III. The Dukedom carries with it (since 1672) the hereditary office of Earl Marshal of England. This means that the Duke is in charge of state ceremonial such as the coronation and funeral of the sovereign and such occasions as the sovereign declares shall be a state occasion, e.g. the investiture of HRH The Prince of Wales and the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill. Visitors often ask about the relationship of the English sovereign to the Dukes of Norfolk: they share a common ancestor in King Edward I (1239-1307) and also King Edward III (1312-1377). As Earl Marshal, the Duke is head of the College of Arms, founded in 1484, the official authority on heraldry and genealogy in England and Wales.
official site of Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle as Movie Scene
Arundel Castle plays a starring role in THE YOUNG VICTORIA, starring Emily Blunt. The Film charts Queen Victoria’s journey to the throne. Arundel’s picturesque medieval castle is the backdrop in several key scenes and its wonderful features play stand in for some very famous locations such as the Chapel Royal, St. James’s Palace and St. Georges Hall at Windsor Castle. A Academy Award-winning producer Graham King, who co-produced the movie with Martin Scorsese, said Arundel Castle was one of a group of “wondrous places” chosen as locations during the film shoot.
How important is Arundel Castle?
This is a magnificent castle situated on a hill overlooking the river Arun. Built at the end of the 11th century, it has been, and still is, the residence of the Dukes of Norfolk for over 700 years. You may tour much of the grounds and interior here.
The Black Swan offered a wonderful lunch by the River Arun in this beautiful village. Walking into the village, we stopped in a shop which sold genuine Roman coins. These coins are still being found by hobbyists using metal detectors.
After touring Arundel I took a photo as we walked away. The castle, gave me the impression of a formidable fortress and, remembering the outstanding armoury they had inside, decided to make it appear to really loom over you and have it look as it may to an invading force.
Pics free for commercial reuse, taken from Google Pictures. Sources: Wikimedia, flikr, geograph.org