The Legacy of Windsor Castle

            Located in the only naturally defensive site relative to that area of the Thames basin, construction of Windsor Castle was begun in 1070 by William the Conquer and was explicitly designed with the intention of defending London from the western approaches. Despite its initial purposes as a defensive holding, Windsor Castle was greatly esteemed by William and other subsequent monarchs who would later renovate the Norman fortress and refurnish it to better serve as a royal residence. The Official Windsor Castle Guidebook elucidates on the monarchy’s affectionate attachments to Windsor and reveals that “it has been the home of 39 monarchs and is the oldest royal residence in the British Isles to have remained in continuous use.” (3)

            As we have observed in other prominent Renaissance sites and institutions such as the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey, it was often the prerogative of the current monarch to expand upon preexisting buildings as a reflection of their royal prestige and authority. Windsor Castle was similarly renovated; however, the Guidebook specifically refers to four monarchs who were primarily responsible for the Castle’s more prominent attributes: William the Conquer, Edward III who greatly expanded the fortress and contributed additions such as St. George’s Hall and the Royal Apartments, Charles II, and George IV. (5) Our informative tour guides revealed that throughout its history the legacy of Windsor Castle is largely a reflection of these renovations and the multiplicity of various architectural designs including Gothic, Baroque, Romantic, and Neo-Classicism. The shifting architectural designs exhibited by the Castle, especially those perceived in Edward IV’s grandiose St. George’s Chapel, reflect the monarch’s particular interest in the Castle and the ensuing devotion they dedicated to ensuring it survived the ravages of time and political contention. The Chapel itself constitutes one of the greatest examples of medieval architecture in Western Europe and due to Edward's dedication of the Chapel to Saint George, patron saint of England, the legacy of the Castle is substantiated by tradition and religious symbolic representation. St. George's Chapel remains a testament to the religious piety of Edward IV in addition to the religious progression England experienced throughout the 15th and 16th centuries..Additionally, much of the architectural additions such as Saint George’s hall are superfluous in design yet reiterate the pride in which Edward III valued Windsor as a royal residence. Inadvertently the successful legacy of Windsor Castle is directly associated with the monarchy’s infallible pride and desire to contribute their own lasting influence upon the iconic fortress.

            In addition to enlightening us on the linear progression of the construction and diverse renovations conducted on Windsor Palace, Kaitlyn and Gabby also informed us on various historical accounts that may have potentially devastated the Castle’s integrity and legacy as a symbolic representation of England and her monarchs. One such historical account occurred in 1642 when Oliver Cromwell and parliamentary forces successfully captured Windsor Castle following the Battle of Edgehill. Contrary to warfare traditions that warranted the sacking of captured fortresses, Cromwell’s forces were explicitly ordered to maintain the integrity of the castle. Although some aspects of Windsor were defiled and removed, the extent of Cromwell’s influence within the castle is visibly limited despite him utilizing Windsor as a prison for captured Loyalist. The castle furthermore reveals little evidence detailing the execution of Charles I in 1648. Despite this particular demoralizing period in the history of Windsor Castle, its reputation as the quintessential royal residence remained uncompromised following the restoration of Charles II to the English throne in 1660. To restore the image and legacy of Windsor Castle following its function as Parliament’s headquarters, Charles II echoed the actions of previous monarchs and renovated the upper ward into a Baroque Palace effectively erasing the fortress’s soiled legacy and the effects of the English Civil War. (8-9)

            In conclusion, a stanza from a poem composed in 1703 reflecting the grandeur and national pride of Windsor Castle following the ascension of Queen Anne to the English throne:

One tow’ring Oak of huge Gigantick size,

That did on Windsor’s shady forest rise,

Does, by its Native Strength alone support,

The ascending Ladder of this spacious court.

A hundred Paces to the Floor you mount,

And twice two Hundred afterwards may count.

The Ceiling of stupendous Height does seem,

Shrewing no Crack, or Flaw, or artless Beam.

But in the noblest Paintings, there divine,

Does all the glorious Acts of Europe shine.

     Nor are the wond’rous Deeds of William here forgot,

And all the mighty Battles which he bravely Fought.

(Hills 4)