arisbrooke Castle was originally a Roman fort. The castle is located in the centre of the Isle of Wight and was put up soon after William the Conqueror came to England. The Earl of Hereford, William Fitz Osbern may have been responsible for its construction, but he was killed in battle during 1070/1071 and so would have had little opportunity to oversee the construction. Osbern's son, Roger, is more likely to have built or refortified the castle. It was at Carisbrooke Castle that William arrested his own half brother, Odo for acts of treason. Henry I granted the castle in the first year of his reign to Richard de Redvers. The Redvers family owned the castle for much of the Medieval period, only ending in November 1293 when the last Redvers, Isabel died. In 1136, Baldwin de Redvers took refuge in the castle on the run from King Stephen. Unfortunately the wells on the island ran dry and Baldwin gave up the land in exchange for his head. Baldwin's land was restored to him in 1153 when Henry II became king. Baldwin, the last male in the line, died in 1216 poisoned, it is said by Peter of Savoy. Isabella de Fortibus, Baldwin's sister took control of the castle and successfully ran it until her death in 1293.

Carisbrooke Castle Key Facts
Categories	[Motte & Bailey] [Stone Keep]

See Also

• WILLIAM (I, the Conqueror, King of England 1066-1087)
• WILLIAM (II, Rufus, King of England 1087-1100)
• Fitz Osbern, William (Earl of Hereford)
• Fitz Osbern, Roger (Earl of Hereford)
• Isle of Wight