Kenilworth Castle

• Form


  What does it look like? What are it's key features
• Function


  What is it's purpose? What is it there for?
• De Clintons


  1120-1174
• 1. Who ordered for the castle to be built?

  (De Clintons (1120-1174)

  Geoffrey de Clinton
• 2. Whose permissions did he gain?

  (De Clintons (1120-1174)

  King Edward
• 3. When was the castle built?

  (De Clintons (1120-1174)

  1120s
• 4. What materials were used initially?

  (De Clintons (1120-1174)

  Earth and timber
• 5. What was built in 1124?

  (De Clintons (1120-1174)

  Stone towers (AKA Great Towers)
• 6. How thick were the walls?

  (De Clintons (1120-1174)

  4.3m thick
• 7. What type of windows were included?

  (De Clintons (1120-1174)

  Norman-style, arched windows
• 8. What other rooms did the castle contain?

  (De Clintons (1120-1174)

  Great hall, chapel, sleeping chambers
• 9. How were they accessed?

  (De Clintons (1120-1174)

  Spiral stairs and turret
• 10. What provided water?

  (De Clintons (1120-1174)

  A well
• 11. What was built across a valley?

  (De Clintons (1120-1174)


  A causeway and a dam to create a mere
• 12. Why?

  (De Clintons (1120-1174)

  For defense
• 13. When did the castle move into royal hands?

  (De Clintons (1120-1174)

  1174
• 14. Why?

  (De Clintons (1120-1174)

  - de Clinton's son had died

  - It is because it was strategically important, with it being the middle of the West Midlands
• Why was Kenilworth Castle built at its location?


  - The site provided good defences

  - The site had access to food and water

  - King Henry I wanted to counter the influence of Roger, Earl of Warwick, who he didn't trust
• The site provided good defences...

  (Why was Kenilworth Castle built at its location?)

  - A low sandstone hill gave a good view of the surrounding area

  - Clinton built a causeway across the valley which created a dam that held back a mere in case of attack

  - The hill was above where two rivers met, providing further protection (Finham and Inchford Brooks)
• Explanation for 'The site provided good defences...'

  (Why was Kenilworth Castle built at its location?)

  Therefore, Kenilworth provided excellent geographical location to build a castle to protect the king's interests and promote his own interests in Warwickshire
• The site provided access to food and water...

  (Why was Kenilworth Castle built at its location?)


  - The mere provided fish and wildfowl like ducks

  - A charter of 1125 allowed the canons (monks) of Kenilworth Priory to catch fish on Thursdays
• Explanation for 'The site provided access to food and water...'

  (Why was Kenilworth Castle built at its location?)

  Consequently, Clinton and his guests could eat, drink and increase their income via trade
• King Henry I wanted to counter the influence of Roger, Earl of Warwick, who he didn't trust...

  (Why was Kenilworth Castle built at its location?)

  1121- Henry promoted Geoffrey de Clinton from treasurer and chamberlain to the Sheriff of Warwickshire

  1122- Roger's cousin the Earl of Worcester rebelled

  1124- Clinton was established as a great magnate in Warwickshire
• Explanation for: 'Henry...wanted to counter... influence'

  (Why was Kenilworth Castle built at its location?)

  - So, Clinton built Kenilworth five miles from Roger's powerbase at Warwick Castle to intimidate Roger and counter any rebellion he may have initiated
• Original Functions of Kenilworth Castle


  - MILITARY- Baronial castle used to defend the king's interests and defend de Clinton's status

  - PLACE TO LIVE (Dwelling)- For de Clinton's guests, monks, nuns and for himself
• Royal Control


  1174-1244
• Stone Walls

  (Royal Control (1174-1244))

  - Surrounds the inner bailey

  - This shows there were two curtain walls, inner bailey and outer bailey
• Who, When?

  (Stone Walls)

  (Royal Control (1174-1244))

  Henry II

  1184-1189
• Gatehouse

  (Royal Control (1174-1244))

  - An entrance

  - Simple

  - Made of stone

  - Suggested an outer building used to exist
• Why?

  (Royal Control (1174-1244))

  - Henry wanted to protect himself from rebellion

  - Paranoid that there would be a second rebellion after the 'Great Rebellion of 1173-74' when his former wife Eleanor of Aquitaine and sons attempted to rebel against him
• Mortimer's Tower

  (Royal Control (1174-1244))


  - Part of £1,100 John spent on defence

  - Part of the outer bailey

  - Main entrance in the medieval times

  - Twin-towered

  - Had a portcullis
• Lunn's Tower

  (Royal Control (1174-1244))

  - Part of £1,100 John spent on defence

  - Wall tower

  - Five fish tail loops on ground floor- for crossbows, they are more accurate
• Top Stage- Great Tower

  (Royal Control (1174-1244))


  - Part of £1,100 John spent on defence

  - More fish tail arrow loops

  - Chamber with fine views
• Enlarged the Mere

  (Royal Control (1174-1244))

  - Part of £1,100 John spent on defence

  - Depth of dam increased

  - 800x150 metres
• Who? When?

  (Royal Control (1174-1244))

  John

  (1210-1215)
• Why?

  (Royal Control (1174-1244))

  PAPAL INTERDICT OF 1208

  - John refused to allow the Pope's choice of Langton as Archbishop of Canterbury- wanted de Gray

  - John was excommunicated 1209

  - FEAR OF REBELLION
• Function

  (Royal Control (1174-1244))

  MILITARY

  - Royal fortress

  - To defend
• Simon de Montford


  1244-1266
• 1. Who did Simon marry in 1238?

  (Simon de Montford 1244-1266)

  Eleanor- the sister of Henry III
• 2. Why did Simon become important in 1238?

  (Simon de Montford 1244-1266)

  He became the Earl of Leicester