Windsor, Berkshire, England

Photographer: Ian Britton - Freefoto.com

Windsor Castle is the largest castle in England, located in the County of Windsor. It was first built by William The Conqueror in about 1070. It was one of nine castles built by him as fortresses of protection after the 1066 conquest.

It was first built of wood with a motte and two baileys on a chalk buff above the River Thames. King Henry I erected a stone shell enclosure on the motte top. King Henry II built Royal apartments and began an outer wall with towers. Edward IV began St. George's Chapel built of medieval architecture. It was not finished until 1528 during the reign of Henry VII. Henry VIII built the main castle entrance which bears his name.

Photographer: Ian Britton - Freefoto.com

The castle now covers almost thirteen acres. It is the principal residence of the Queen Elizabeth II. It is the only castle that has continuously been inhabited by Royalty since the middle ages.

Photographer: Ian Britton - Freefoto.com

St. George's Hall Windsor from W.H. Pyne's Royal Residences (1819). This shows the baroque style of the work carried our at Windsor for Charles II by architect Hugh May, painter Antonio Verrio, carver Grinling Gibbons and others. St George's Hall was redecorated in the early 19th century, but several smaller interiors from this period survive.

This file has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. This applies worldwide.

St George's Hall in 1848 by Joseph Nash, showing the alterations made for George IV by Sir Jeffry Wyatville.

The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years. This photograph of the work is also in the public domain in the United States (see Bridgeman Art Library v. Corel Corp.).

INFO from:
www.castlesoftheworld.com
www.wikipedia.org

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