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  1. Home
  2. Medieval Places
  3. Kenilworth Castle
Castle
Castle
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Kenilworth Castle

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 County

Warwickshire (8 castles) 

 Categories

Stone / Norman Square Keep / Lake Fortress / Baronial castle

 Remains

Not complete but much survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Comments

This castle did not have a normal moat but the stream that passes the castle was damned in medieval times to provide a large lake. 

 Location52.3481,-1.5933 (Google Maps) DirectionsDirections via Google Maps
 County

Warwickshire (8 castles) 

 Categories

Stone / Norman Square Keep / Lake Fortress / Baronial castle

 Remains

Not complete but much survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Comments

This castle did not have a normal moat but the stream that passes the castle was damned in medieval times to provide a large lake. 

 Location
52.3481,-1.5933
 Directions
Directions via Google Maps
enilworth Castle was founded in around 1120 by Geoffrey de Clinton who was Henry I's Lord Chamberlain. The castle he built was probably a wooden motte and bailey type construction. If there was a motte on the site it would probably have been located where the current keep now stands. The stone keep that now stands at the castle was most likely built by Geoffrey's son, Geoffrey II during the reigns of King Stephen or Henry II and is built of soft red sandstone with 14ft thick walls. The keep is rectangular, being roughly 90 feet by 60 feet and around 80 feet high. At the corners are towers that project out from the main walls. Originally the windows of the keep would have been small openings common for the time in which it was built, but in Elizabethan times the keep was altered and much larger Tudor style windows inserted.

At first the castle was leased to the king in the time of Henry II and then some time later it became the property of the crown. The castle was used by Henry II, King John and Henry III who between them improved the defences greatly. In the time of King John the Finham brook was dammed so that a moat was formed on the southern, western and eastern sides of the castle. This created a large expance of water that made the castle almost impossible to capture. Castles with a similar sized lake used for protection include Caerphilly Castle in South Wales and Leeds Castle in Kent. On the northern side of the castle a deep ditch was dug to provide defence. It was on this northern side that a gatehouse served as the main entrance to the castle. On the southern side of the castle the top of the dam also provided access to the castle. The narrow strip of land was protected by two tower gatehouses, one at each end.

The layout of the castle consists of a large outer ward surrounded by a curtain wall. Offset to the south-west is an area of higher ground where the keep and inner bailey are located. Several towers are built into the outer curtain wall including Lunns Tower and the Water Tower on the east side, Mortimer Tower protecting the southern entrance and Swan Tower on the north-west corner.

In 1243 Henry III granted the castle to Simon de Montfort but later Simon became Henry's enemy and was defeated and killed at the battle of Evesham. After the battle of Evesham Simon's son held out at Kenilworth Castle against Henry III for six months until finally running out of food and water. Edmund Earl of Lancaster, Henry III's son, was then granted ownership of the castle. The Lancasters were then associated with the castle including John of Gaunt, Earl of Lancaster, whose son became King Henry IV and during his reign the castle became a royal residence again.

Location

See Also

People

  • Henry (II, King of England 1154-1189)
  • Henry (III, King of England 1216-1272)
  • Montfort, Simon de
  • Edmund (Crouchback, Earl of Lancaster)
  • Henry (IV, King of England 1399-1413)
  • John (of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster)
  • John (King of England 1199-1216)
  • A .. Z List of Medieval People

Related Information

  • Why build and live in castles
  • Castle development timeline
  • Keep and bailey castles
  • Castles of William the Conqueror
  • Motte and bailey castles
  • Shell-Keeps
  • Square keeps
  • Polygonal Keeps
  • Castles of Edward I
  • Parts of a castle
  • Location of lots of castles
  • Castle construction timeline

Related Maps

  • Map of Castles

Related Episodes

The Second Barons' War (click here)

The Second Barons' War (click here)

Isabella, She-Wolf of France and death of Edward II (click here)

Isabella, She-Wolf of France and death of Edward II (click here)

Timeline

1120

...

Kenilworth Castle construction

Henry I gave a portion of the Stoneleigh estate to Geoffrey de Clinton his chamberlain. de Clinton built a motte and bailey on the land and formed a lake to provide better defences. ¹

1122

...

Kenilworth Abbey Founded

A priory of Austin Canons was founded in Kenilworth by Geoffrey de Clinton, the Chamberlain of King Henry I. The Priory was raised to the status of an abbey in the reign of Henry VI.  ¹

1173

...

Henry takes control of Kenilworth

With the threat of attack from the Barons and his own sons, Henry II took control of Kenilworth Castle and defended it with a small army of men.  ¹

1180

...

Kenilworth Castle keep

The massive keep at Kenilworth was under construction during this period. ¹

1182

...

Kenilworth Castle becomes the King's property

Henry de Clinton exchanged Kenilworth Castle for other land? ¹

1210

(to 1215)

Kenilworth Castle defences improved

King John spent time and money on the castle at Kenilworth, building outer walls and raising the height of the lake. ¹

1243

Spring

Simon de Montfort gets custody of Kenilworth castle

King Henry III bestowed the custody of Kenilworth castle to Simon de Montfort. Simon's wife Eleanor, Henry's sister, already owned Odiham Castle so Simon had two of the strongest fortresses in England under his control. ¹

1258

June

Odiham and Kenilworth handed over to the King

As an act of faith, Simon de Montfort handed over his castles at Odiham and Kenilworth as part of the proposals put forward in the Provisions of Oxford.

1264

Summer

Edward moved to Kenilworth

Edward (I) was held captive at Wallingford Castle but after an escape attempt he was moved to Kenilworth Castle. ¹

1265

Summer

Armies march

Simon's son was sent to London to raise money and troops. He diverted back through Winchester which was loyal to the king and then moved through Oxford and Northampton. Edward (I) moved from Worcester to Bridgnorth destroying bridges and means of allowing Simon who was on the Welsh side of the Avon from crossing back. The people of Bristol, friendly to Simon's cause sent ships to Newport to help Simon cross, but they were intercepted and destroyed by Edward. ¹

1265

August 1

Younger Simon attacked at Kenilworth

Simon's son was attacked at Kenilworth during the night being taken completely by surprise and having no chance to defend himself. They had decided to stay in the village rather than in the castle. The younger Simon managed to reach the safety of the castle.

1265

August 4

Battle of Evesham

Using the banners of Simon de Montfort's son captured at Kenilworth, prince Edward approached Simon's position at Evesham. Simon de Montfort was trapped in the bend of the river Avon and forced to fight. Simon was defeated and killed. Simon's youngest son took refuge in Kenilworth castle, where prepared for a long siege, he managed to hold out until December 1267. ¹

1265

September 16

Peace with the Barons

After the defeat of Simon de Montfort at Evesham, a limited agreement of peace was declared between King Henry III and the barons. Some resistance remained at Kenilworth and the Isle of Ely until 1267.

1266

October

Mise of Kenilworth

The rebel barons were given the option by Edward to buy back their properties. Edward was careful not to cause friction between the king and the barons that may have restarted a war. ¹

1266

December

Edmund Crouchback is granted Kenilworth Castle

Edmund was granted the important castle at Kenilworth as reward in helping the king put down the baronial rebellion.

1326

November

Edward captured

The King was captured in Wales at the Abbey of Neath. He had hoped to get some support in Wales but that was not to be the case. The Despensers were also captured. Hugh Despenser was given a short trial and executed as a traitor. Edward was taken to Kenilworth castle and imprisoned. ¹

1361

(to 1399)

John of Gaunt owns Kenilworth

John of Gaunt married Blanche, the daughter of Henry, Duke of Lancaster. Henry owned Kenilworth Castle and when he died (?) John became Duke of Lancaster and took ownership of the castle. Gaunt rebuilt the hall and constructed new grand apartments. ¹

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Selection of references used:

  • 1. Mike Salter, Castles and Moated Castles of Warwickshire
  • 2. M.R.James, Abbeys, 1925
  • 3. Elizabeth Luckock and Caroline Gundy, Simon de Montfort, 1969, ISBN:08-008236-6
  • 4. Bonamy Dobree, English Revolts, 1937
  • 5. Caroline Bingham, The Life and Times of Edward II

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    Location

    See Also

    People

    • Henry (II, King of England 1154-1189)
    • Henry (III, King of England 1216-1272)
    • Montfort, Simon de
    • Edmund (Crouchback, Earl of Lancaster)
    • Henry (IV, King of England 1399-1413)
    • John (of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster)
    • John (King of England 1199-1216)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Related Information

    • Why build and live in castles
    • Castle development timeline
    • Keep and bailey castles
    • Castles of William the Conqueror
    • Motte and bailey castles
    • Shell-Keeps
    • Square keeps
    • Polygonal Keeps
    • Castles of Edward I
    • Parts of a castle
    • Location of lots of castles
    • Castle construction timeline

    Related Maps

    • Map of Castles
    3D/VR

    Virtual Buildings

    Transport yourself back up to a thousand years and explore historical buildings as they may have appeared in the past.

    Explore the White Tower

    Explore four floors of the keep at the Tower of London.

     

    Adventure Game - Early Access

    Early Access to the TimeRef card-based Adventure Game.

     

    Medieval Town - Early Access

    Explore the medieval town.

     

    Medieval Village - Early Access

    Explore the medieval village.

     

    Medieval Abbey - Early Access

    Explore the medieval abbey.

     

    Medieval Theatre - Early Access

    Explore the medieval theatre.

     

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