Monday 20 March 2017

Tamworth Castle 900 years of history

Tamworth Castle, a Grade I listed building^, is a Norman castle, overlooking the confluence of the River Anker and the River Tame, in the town of Tamworth in Staffordshire, England. Before boundary changes in 1889, however, the castle site was originally on the edge of Warwickshire, while most of the town belonged to Stafforshire.

The site served as a residence of the Mercian kings in Anglo Saxon times, but fell into disuse during the Viking invasions. Refortified by the Normans and later enlarged, the building is today one of the best preserved motte-and-bailey castles in England.

When you visit Tamworth Castle, you are able to enjoy a truly unique experience revealing the wonderful history of this stunning Norman Motte and Bailey Castle, right before your eyes.

Explore the maze of intact rooms, halls, chambers and ancient walkways that still echo with events from Saxon beginnings, Norman dynasties, Tudor grandeur and great family influences.

[ http://www.tamworthcastle.co.uk/]

The Tower

Now ascend the narrow steps to the top of the medieval tower. Marvel at the 360◦ view of the surrounding town and look at the Castle grounds to the South and St. Editha's Church to the North.

Intra-Mural passage

Grand Dining Room

Wind up the Tudor staircase and step into the Grand Dining Room set for a Tudor banquet.

Day Parlour

Adjacent to the Dining Room is the Day Parlour; a private with-drawing room where nobles would gather before feasting. Here they would socialise, listen to music, read, play cards and board games.

the Ante-Chamber where dry food was stored. Savour the aromatic smells of the herbs and spices and see the range of tools used by the cook to garnish foods ready for serving in the dining room.

The Armoury and Dungeon

The Lady's Chamber (The Haunted Room): 12th century - Solar, The Black Lady
Legend has it that the 'Black Lady' haunts this room. She was a 9th century nun called Editha who was expelled from Polesworth Abbey by the first Baron Marmion. The continued prayers of her homeless nuns eventually called her from her grave and one night in 1139, after a lavish banquet, the 3rd Baron Marmion saw a vision of her while in his bedchamber. She prophesied that unless the nuns were restored to Polesworth, he would meet an untimely and painful death. Just before she vanished she struck him on his side with the point of her crosier and the wound was so terrible that the whole castle was awoken by his cries. Seeing him so tormented with pain his friends advised him to confess himself to a priest and restore the nuns to the Abbey. His pain only ceased when this vow was taken and the nuns were allowed to return.

The Lady's Chamber Take a chilling walk past the seventeenth century haunted stairs, into the Lady's Chamber. An elegant wooden panelled bed chamber set for the lady of the household. Stand quietly in this reputedly haunted room as you take in this marvellous room.

The Servant's Chamber is a simple room for the use by the female servant who attended the lady and her children. Venture outside onto the parapet walk and cross the ancient Castle walls. Take in the panoramic views of the grounds below and the courtyard. Then enter the Elizabethan wing built in the 1590's by Humphrey Ferrers II.

Georgian Room

View the Marquis's room which depicts life in the Castle in the eighteenth century. See how you would look as a Georgian and try on ladies and gents wigs and costumes.

the nursery decorated with toys and games used to occupy the children during the day. See the traditional toys and admire the ceramic dolls, nestled in their cot.

Cooke's Bedroom

Take in the grandeur of the Victorian bedroom occupied by the Cooke family in the later parts of the castle's Victorian history and see the extraordinary bathroom sat behind the large glass panels.

The Oak Room and the Withdrawing Room

Now view the two grand reception rooms, the Oak Room and the Withdrawing Room. These rooms have been home to an array of sumptuous dinners and gatherings. Both decorated with fitting furniture to display the elegance of the Victorian families.