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Official Site : Windsor Castle home page

Windsor castle dates back to 1075 when William the Conqueror first built a castle on an existing chalk mound over looking the river Thames. Early Norman castles were built from wood, but it seems that at Windsor, because the base of the mound was so strong, a stone castle was used instead. The castle that William built consisted of a shell keep built around the mound, and two baileys, one to the east of the mound, and one to the west. Between 1173 and 1179 Henry II spent time and money improving the keep. The height of the keep was raised and the walls around the baileys were rebuilt. During the reign of John, the castle was besieged twice. In 1216 the Prince Louis and a French army invaded the south of England at the same time that rebels were fighting against King John. Windsor castle, along with Dover, and Lincoln held out against the French. After John came Henry III, who repaired the damage that had been inflicted during his father's reign.

Mini Timeline

1075		Construction of Windsor Castle
		Construction of Windsor castle started by William the Conqueror.
1121		Henry I marries Adeliza
		Henry I married Adeliza of Louvain at Windsor Castle. Adeliza was his second wife. They did not have any children.
1173 - 1179		Remodelling of Windsor Castle
		Henry II carried out major rebuilding work at Windsor Castle, including raising the height of the keep and improved the walls around the bailey. He added towers to the walls and built himself a house, the basement of which survives.
1175	Oct 6	Treaty of Windsor
		A treaty signed by Henry II and Rory O'Connor allowing O'Connor control of the areas of Ireland other than Leinster, Meath, Waterford and Dublin which were controlled by the English King. O'Connor agreed to pay Henry an annual sum of money and to provide one hide from each ten animals slaughtered every year.
1185	Apr	John is knighted
		John is knighted by his father at Windsor Castle before travelling to Ireland.
1210	Jun 10	John lands in Ireland
		John landed at Waterford looking for the rebel baron William de Broase who had fled to Ireland. John took the opportunity to visit his lands in Ireland receiving homage from the Irish Chieftains. de Broase fled but his wife and son were captured, taken back to England and starved to death in Windsor Castle.
1255	Oct	Edward and Eleanor return to England
		After the marriage at a Cistercian convent in Castile, Edward and Eleanor returned via Dover to England. Eleanor lived initially at Windsor Castle.
1312	Nov	Future Edward III is born
		Edward the future king of England was born at Windsor Castle and was known as Edward Windsor.
1340		Building work at Windsor Castle
		The Round Tower was rebuilt at Windsor Castle.
1344	Jan 19	First Round Table at Windsor
		A jousting tournament at Windsor castle may have been the time of the creation of the Order of the Garter based on the King Arthur's knights of the Round Table. The formal creation of the Order occurred in 1348.
1348	Apr 23	Creation of the Order of the Garter
		On St. George's Day at Windsor Castle, the Order of the Garter was created. The initial Knights of the Order were: The King (Edward III); the Prince of Wales (The Black Prince); Henry, Earl (afterwards Duke) of Lancaster; Thomas Beauchamp, 3rd Earl of Warwick; the Captal of Buch; Ralph, Lord Stafford; Motacute, Earl of Salisbury; Sir Roger Mortimer; Sir John (afterward Lord) Lisle; Sir Bartholomew (afterwards Lord) Burghershe; Sir John Beauchamp; Lord Mohun; Sir Hugh Courtenay; Sir Thomas Holland; Lord Grey; Sir Richard FitzSimon; Sir Myles Stapleton; Sir Thomas Wales; Sir Hugh Wrottesley; Sir Neel Loryng; Sir John Chandos; Sir James Audley; Sir Otho Holland; Sir Henry Eam; Sir Sanchete d'Ambrichecourt; and Sir Walter Paveley.
1358	Apr 23	A Splendid Tournament at Windsor
		To celebrate St. George's day Edward III held a large tournament at Windsor Castle. Edward, the Black Prince, oversaw the proceedings and Kings from all over Europe were given safe passage to take part in the games.
1362	Jul	The Black Prince is given Gascony
		Edward III transferred control of Gascony to his eldest son, the Black Prince. Edward the Black Prince had just married Joan of Kent at Windsor and together they created a magnificent court in Bordeaux.
1400	Jan	A plot to kill the new King
		Supporters of Richard II planned to attack king Henry during a tournament held over Christmas at Windsor Castle. The plot was betrayed by Edward, Earl of Rutland, son of the Duke of York. Henry and his family escaped to London, and by the time the king returned to Windsor with an army, the rebels had been dealt with by local people.
1438	Qtr 1	Owen Tudor is escapes
		Somehow Owen escaped from the Newgate prison along with his priest and servant but was soon recaptured and sent to Windsor Castle.
1439	Jul	Owen Tudor is pardoned
		Owen Tudor was pardoned for all crimes he had been accused of and released from Windsor Castle. He was taken in by the King and given a regular income. Owen and his sons proved to be faithful Lancastrian supporters.
1477		Work starts on St. George's Chapel
		The construction of the massive church at Windsor Castle was begun by Edward IV. The church was not completed until 1528 in the reign of Henry VIII some fifty years later.
1537	Oct 24	Jane Seymour dies
		Jane Seymour died after complications with the birth of Edward VI. She was buried in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
English Civil War Section - Under Construction
1642	Nov 4	Prince Rupert attacks Windsor Castle
		In early November Charles took Reading while Prince Rupert was attacking Windsor Castle. Prince Rupert's efforts failed so he turned his attention south to Brentford dealing the Parliamentary forces a heavy blow. Charles' next objective was to take London but the Londoners put an army together. When the Londoners' army was reinforced with the army of the Earl of Essex there was a standoff. The Royalist and Parliamentary armies faced each other at Turnham Green but Charles was outnumbered and chose to withdraw.