Henry had initially confiscated Framlingham Castle from Hugh, but had returned it in In Henry crushed the Bigods when they revolted again and ordered the permanent confiscation of Framlingham Castle.
During the revolt Orford Castle was heavily garrisoned with 20 knights. Henry died in and although the political importance of Orford Castle diminished, the port of Orford grew in importance. By the start of the 13th century, royal authority over Suffolk firmly established, it handled even more trade than the more famous port of nearby Ipswich. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.
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With its keep still largely intact, it provides an intriguing look into the world of medieval Britain. Orford Castle was originally built in under the orders of King Henry II, and was an impressive fortified stone structure surrounded by a curtain wall and several defensive mounds. As a vast royal stronghold, it was intended to curtail the powers of the East Anglian barons, particularly Hugh Bigod of the nearby Framlingham Castle.
It was also symbolically built on land previously owned by Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket before he was exiled by the king, and could have been used to guard a possible entry point should the archbishop attempt to return to England from France with an army. It is possible to climb right to the top of the keep and stand on the parapet to admire the views. With blustery winds blowing us all around as we stood up there, there were shrieks of delight from the kids, and tickets and receipts being blown out of pockets, whirling in the wind around us.
The keep was used as a radar station during World War II, being in a prime position on the coast and elevated above everything else, but all traces of this and the Nissan huts around it have since been dismantled. At the very bottom of the castle is the basement, where food and supplies were stored.
A well in the centre of the room provided a source of water, and a stone sink and smoke vent show that food preparation may well have taken place here.
There is also a prison cell, which has its own latrine. He was imprisoned in the castle and tortured until he eventually managed to escape, returning to the sea. The castle is enjoyable for kids as English Heritage have added activities in some of the rooms to keep them entertained; although running around and exploring the various nooks and crannies they will probably enjoy more.
Certainly it was the thick stone walls, high windows, rooms appearing around corners and the slight terror induced by the spiral staircase that seemed to keep the children entertained while we there. As well as trying to stand upright in the wind in the parapets of course.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the part of the castle that my son enjoyed the most was the earthworks outside. Created from not just the walls which were removed but also from all of the quarrying of the stones which took place in later years, now they are soft, grassy mounds; perfect for kids to run up and roll down in the sunshine, which plenty of them were doing. Free for English Heritage Members. Is English Heritage membership worth it?
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