The Carlisle Castle
Carlisle, Cumbria, was started by King William II in 1093, and rebuilt in stone in 1157 by Henry II; during 1173-1461 the castle was attacked nine times, and in 1568… Read More »The Carlisle Castle
henry ii
Brougham Castle, Penrith
Penrith, Cumbria, (pronounced ‘ broom ‘), was started in Henry II’s reign on the site of a Roman fort, and renovated in 17th century by Lady Anne Clifford , who… Read More »Brougham Castle, Penrith
Berkeley Castle
Continuously occupied by the Berkeley family since the 12th century, Berkeley Castle consists of a Norman, sandstone Keep with three semi-cylindrical turrets, and an Inner Ward surrounded by low-lying, 14ft thick walls. At one time there was a moat and the traditional Outer Ward to provide a defence strategy to the Inner Ward. The huge, round Keep is over sixty feet high, and is one of the oldest parts of the surviving castle.
Robert Fitzharding was in occupation during the mid-12th century when he was given permission by Henry II to construct a castle made of stone, to replace the former timber construction. It was from the descendants of Robert Fitzharding, who liked to describe themselves as ‘of Berkeley’, that lead to the family name still used today.