Castle Rising, Castle Rising, Norfolk
Castle Rising Castle was founded in around 1140 by William de Albini II. Pre-dating the castle, however, are the below ground remains of a Saxon settlement and a ruined church. This may have been the parish church prior to the 12th century. The keep, seen here, has been described as one of the most lavishly decorated in England. In the first half of the 14th century, possibly soon after it was acquired by the crown (king), a suite of buildings were built south of the keep. These included private lodgings, a chapel, a hall and separate kitchen. The hall and kitchen were later rebuilt; however they were demolished in the 16th century. From 1331-58 the castle was the residence of Isabella, wife of Edward II and accomplice to his murder in 1327. By 1542-3 the keep was ruined but sections of it were still in use. In 1544 it was granted by Henry VIII to Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, in whose family it remains. In 1958 the castle passed into state guardianship. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010) but owned and managed by Lord Howard of Rising.
