Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle, in Dorset, is an 11th century castle. Well, what's left of it. We came upon it by accident when we were on our way home from Swanage a while back. We were wanting to avoid the ferry route and then found this!

We don't often pay to see stuff, but this one was definitely worth it.

A little bit of interesting information about the history of Corfe Castle. Excuse me this one time for just copying and pasting from this national trust website.

A King is murdered

In 978, before the present Castle was built, legend has it that King Edward the Martyr was murdered at Corfe by his stepmother who wanted to put her own son, Ethelred ‘the Unready’, on the throne. While stag hunting in the Purbeck forest, Edward paid a visit to Corfe, where Elfryda is said to have offered him a goblet of wine, then treacherously had him stabbed in the back while he drank it.

A castle is built
Corfe Castle was begun by William the Conqueror soon after his arrival in Britain in 1066. It was served by the surrounding community in return for the use of homes and land, as well as shelter in the Castle in times of trouble. Much of the Isle of Purbeck was a Royal Forest so the hunting of game without royal permission was punishable by death.

A state prison
Corfe was one of King John’s favourite castles. Between 1199 and 1216 he added a great many defences. During his troubled reign the castle was often used as a prison, where many prisoners met their deaths. He also used the Castle to imprison his niece, Princess Eleanor (the Fair Maid of Brittany). King John turned Corfe Castle into a comfortable royal residence. There would have been a garden and a kitchen to grow and prepare food for the king’s table.

A private home
From the 14^th to the 16^th centuries, Corfe Castle was less important as a royal stronghold and often fell into disrepair. In 1572 Queen Elizabeth I sold it to her friend and Chancellor, Sir Christopher Hatton, thereby ending its 500 years as a royal home. He converted it into a prestigious home, complete with fine furniture, tapestries and silk cushions. In 1635 Corfe Castle was bought by Sir John Bankes.

The Castle is demolished
During the 17th century, the Castle was home to the Bankes family, who were staunch Royalists. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, the Castle was attacked by Parliamentarians. With Sir John away from the Castle, defending the home fell to Lady Bankes and her family, 80 defenders, a cannon and some loyal servants. They successfully held the Castle. Two years later however, during a second siege, Lady Bankes was betrayed by one of her garrison, Col. Pitman. Lady Bankes survived the siege and moved to her family home in Middlesex where she died in 1667.

The castle was deliberately demolished resulting in the dramatic ruin you see today. Much of the stone that was removed was used in building the houses of Corfe Castle Village.

Corfe Castle Village Church

A pub in Corfe Castle Village

All the best photos taken by André of course!