Corfe Castle, Dorset


31st May 2017

978 - Rumour has it that the site of today's Corfe Castle was the location for King Edward the Martyr's murder, by his stepmother
1086 - William the Conqueror began building the castle
1105 - Henry I is thought to be responsible for building the 23 metre tall stone keep
1106 - Henry I imprisons his brother, Robert of Normandy, at Corfe Castle, after seizing the throne
1130s - The castle finds itself in the midst of action during the Anarchy between Stephen and Matilda
1199 - 1214 - King John imprisons his niece, Princess Eleanor of Brittany at Corfe
During King John's reign he was a frequent visitor to the castle, strengthening its defences and building the Gloriette
1220 - 1294 - Henry III and Edward I make several alterations to the castle, including converting from timber to stone, strengthening defences and adding towers
Henry VII gifted the castle to his mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort
1509 - Lady Margaret dies and the castle is passed back to the crown
1572 - Elizabeth I sells the castle to Sir Christopher Hatton
1591 - When Sir Christopher dies the castle is inherited by his nephew Sir William Hatton. After his death, his wife kept the castle
1635 - Castle is built by Sir John Bankes
Civil War - 1643 - Sir John is declared a traitor and his lands, including the castle, are forfeit. After a six week siege to try and capture the castle, the Parliamentarians retreat
1644 - Sir John Bankes dies
1646 - Second siege, castle declines to surrender, due to some unloyal members of the garrison the Parliamentarians enter and take over the castle disguised as Royalists
March 1646 - Act is passed to slight/demolish the castle. Materials are used to build local houses and the castle falls into ruins 

 The castle is set in an iconic location. It is quite a climb to the castle, but the views are worth it. Although the castle is quite ruined and was quite different in some ways to what we expected (in a good way though!), Corfe Castle is an impressive ruin with so much history

 Owned by National Trust
Designated pay and display, a little walk from the castle
Shop / Tea-room / Toilets near-by
Guidebook
Dogs allowed

N & K 


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