Top 10 Amazing Facts about Framlingham Castle

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Framlingham Castle

Framlingham Castle photo by Bleese –Wikimedia

Framlingham Castle is a majestic 12^th-century fortress that hosts mesmerizing past events and has a historic presence accumulated over centuries in England. Its located in the market town of Framlingham castle in Suffolk in England.

The fortress consists of a curtain wall scattered by 13 square towers. Despite the Framlingham castle age, its curtain has remained in a brilliant state of preservation.

The fortress also underwent several renovations over the late centuries, which saw Framlingham used as a school, a poor house, and a prison.

It’s no doubt that the castle is a witness to some fascinating historic events, the following are amazing facts about Framlingham castle.

1. Mary Tudor was proclaimed queen of England at this fortress

Mary_I_of_England portrait by Antonis Mor —Wikimedia

In the 16^th century, the Framlingham castle became a theater for a national drama when it was shortly owned by Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry viii.

Mary knew her position as a legal heir was under threat and upon receiving a warning, that the duke of Northumberland’s plans to capture her, she fled to Cambridge and later to kennghal in Norfolk.it was from here she moved to Framlingham, the safest of her properties.

It was in this fortress that Mary holed herself up and strengthened her troops for a counterattack.

Oddly the people of England greatly offered their support to Mary. As the sister of the old king, the people viewed her as the rightful ruler regardless of her catholic faith.

Mary was showered with popular support and the Dudley’s-who schemed against her surrendered.

Mary was claimed queen of England on July 19^th, 1553, inside Framlingham castle.

2. Framlingham Castle was built by Roger Bigot

The magnificent medieval castle was built by Roger Bigod, a knight, after the Norman conquest of England in 1066.

It was at this time that the Normans pursued to assert their control over Anglo Saxons, and Framlingham was probably fortified with a castle to threaten the locals of the area.

Originally the castle was built out of wood, with building works believed to take place between 1066 and 1107. Store buildings came to the picture later at the castle after 1150.

Bigods family rebelled against HenryII in 1175. As a punishment, he was exiled and an order was issued for Hugh’s bigods castle to be dismantled.

Later, in 1189 under king Richard, the bigods family regained possessions of their castle and had to rebuild it.

3. The foundation of the castle was remodeled several times

Framlingham castle passed over many hands and has seen many architectural alterations during its history.

Roger Bigod, the 5^th earl undertook extensive renovations after he inherited the property going as far as even taking loans to remodel the castle.

During the 15^th and 16^th centuries, two artificial meres were built around the castle, which was expanded in fashionable brick.

Widespread pleasures gardens were built within the castle and the older parts were redesigned to allow visitors to enjoy their stay there.

In the 17^th century, the internal buildings were taken down to make way for the construction of a power low workhouse within the castle.it was used in this way until 1839 when the facility was closed.

4. The castle was a prize in rebellion and demolished as a consequence 

in 1175 three of Henry’s sons revolted against him. This rebellion lasted 18 months but the favor was on the king’s side and he won the battle.

Hugh, took part in this short rebellion against the king fighting on the side of the rebels.

As a consequence of participating in the rebellion, Framlingham castle was confiscated under the king’s order and demolished by his engineers and the lands of the bigods were confiscated.

5. A part of the castle was destroyed to build a poor house

Framlingham_Castle_-poor_house photo by David Briggs –Wikimedia

When the castle left the hands of the Howard family for the last time in 1635, it was sold to Sir Robert Hitchman, a politician who rose to the ranks of attorney general.

Upon his demise, his will stated that the castle saves for the outer walls, be demolished, and the stones used to build a poor house. The inner buildings were destroyed and a poor house was built in its place.

He also donated a school for the local children which was the foundation of the present Framlingham Sir Robert Hitcham primary.

6. There are Incredible curtain walls and 13 towers in Framlingham castle

Framlingham_Castle_-wall photo by Dave Briggs-Wikimedia

The most magnificent and breathtaking feature of the castle is perhaps its massive curtains walls and 13 stone towers. The curtain walls and the towers were meant to serve as main defenses.

The owners of the castle were very proud of the strength of the walls and towers, that they decided not to build a keep, which was common at that time as a feature of defense.

Surprisingly the curtain walls and towers are still standing to date.

7. Framlingham castle served as a prison for priests

This medieval castle has shifted roles over the years, it even served as a prison. During the reign of Elizabeth 1, the castle had been used as a prison.

The purpose of the prison was to hold captive catholic priests viewed as a rebel by the queen during the northern rebellion of 1569.

8. Framlingham castle was an isolation camp during the plaque

The outbreak of the plague in England in 1666, saw London lose its population roughly by 15 percent.

It was during this great time of crisis that the castle was put to use as an isolation center for the infected and sick people, to curb the spread of the disease.

9. A storehouse during the Napoleonic wars

The Framlingham castle served as an equipment store during the Napoleonic Wars for the local Framlingham volunteer regiment. It has also been used as a drill hall county court before being handed to the commissioner of works.

10. it has passed from years of private ownership to a tourist site.

Framlingham Castle photo by Happy bean photography-Wikimedia 

To condense, Framlingham castle is a historical monument, a proof of historical events that transpired over 1000 years in the development of England as a nation.

Today, the castle is owned by English Heritage and is one of the key tourist attractions in Suffolk.