Page 76 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

74  BRIT AIN AND IRELAND

4 Windsor Castle

The oldest continuously inhabited royal residence in Britain,
the castle, originally made of wood, was founded by William
the Conqueror in the late 11th century to guard the western
approaches to London. He chose the site because it was on
high ground and just a day’s journey from the Tower of
London. Successive monarchs have made alterations that
render it a remarkable monument to royalty’s changing
tastes. King George V’s affection for it was shown when he
chose Windsor for his family surname in 1917. The castle is
an official residence of the present Queen, who often stays Albert Memorial Chapel
here at weekends. First built in the 1240s, it was
rebuilt in 1485 and finally
converted into a memorial
King Henry for Prince Albert in 1863.
VIII Gate

Castle Hill
and main
entrance

. St. George’s Chapel
The architectural highlight
of the castle, this chapel was
built between 1475 and
1528 and is an outstanding
Late Gothic work. Ten
monarchs are buried here.

Albert Memorial
Chapel (1485) The Round
Tower (1080)
Waterloo Chamber
(1820s)
St. George’s Hall
(1357–68)
Middle
Lower Ward Ward

St. George’s Chapel (1475–1528) Upper Ward

Key Windsor Castle’s History
Most of the work on the castle –
11th–13th centuries
founded in 1080 as a motte and
14th century bailey – was carried out by Henry II
15th–18th centuries and Edward III, before it was
19th–20th centuries remodeled by George IV in 1823.
For hotels and restaurants see pp104–6 and pp107–9

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