Let the Castle tour begin!

This past week the kids and I spent time in Chilton exploring our little village.  It didn't take long since it is such a small village - perfect for the kids to run free.  There is a nice park just down the street from our house, just like in Oregon.  I love that because on nice days, I can just send them to the park.  Yesterday we pulled up a map of Chilton on Tanner's iTouch and sent them on their way.  They were gone for over an hour checking out the village.  There is also a cute pub, the Rose and Crown super close as well.  The village is a little smaller than I was hoping - it doesn't have a market or any little shops - but it is beautiful and the house is great.

Friday, April 6, 2012

We arrived in the UK at the beginning of Easter break.  We did not understand that this meant the beginning of a two week holiday.  The schools are closed and everyone is on vacay!  We took a couple of days to settle in, shop and rent some furniture, but now it is time to explore.  Today we started our castle tour.  The closest castle to us (and there are many that are VERY close), is Donnington Castle.  It is just outside of Newbury, where Colby works.

HISTORY

The manor of Donnington was held by the Abberbury family from 1287, and in 1386 Sir Richard Abberbury was granted a licence ‘to crenellate and fortify a castle at Donyngton, Berks’ by Richard II. Sir Richard had been a companion of Richard II’s father, Edward the Black Prince, at the battles of Crécy and Poitiers. 

The castle consisted originally of a curtain wall with four round corner towers, two square wall towers and a substantial gatehouse, constructed around a courtyard in the style typical of the fortified residences of the period.

Accommodation was provided in the towers or in buildings within the courtyard, set against the castle walls. The courtyard buildings are likely to have been of timber construction and possibly included a hall, a kitchen and lodgings for guests. 

In the early 15th century the castle was held by Thomas Chaucer, son of the poet Geoffrey Chaucer, and later passed into the ownership of the Crown. Henry VIII is reported to have stayed here in 1539 and Elizabeth I in 1568. 

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR

During the Civil War Charles I set up his headquarters in Oxford and in 1643 dispatched Sir John Boys, with 200 foot soldiers, 25 cavalry and sufficient cannon to resist a siege, to take possession of Donnington from the Parliamentarian John Packer.

Having taken the castle, Boys built defences around the lower slopes of the hill in the shape of a star, the projections providing sites for gun emplacements that gave a good field of fire.

Between 1644 and 1646 the castle was attacked many times, twice being relieved by the king in person. Only when the Royalist cause appeared hopeless did Boys surrender to the Parliamentarian troops, after first obtaining the king’s permission to do so. 

Parliament voted to demolish the badly damaged castle in 1646 and only the gatehouse was left standing. This was restored to John Packer.

I had no idea that Stonehenge was so close to where we live.  Even though it is Easter weekend and EVERYONE is on holiday, we decided to stop by Stonehenge just to see it.  It was sooo very busy.  There is a fence all around it, so instead of buying tickets to walk around Stonehenge on the inside of the fence, we just walked around on the outside of the fence.  We will have to buy tickets to go inside another day - maybe even on June 21st, summer solstice.  I read online that you can buy tickets to go inside the stones on that day and watch the sunrise - might have to do that one!! 

It really is amazing!

One thing I didn't realize is that the circle stones and this stone near us line up and point to an old road in the direction we are looking.  That road continues across the countryside.  It is all connected, with meaning.... but what?

For an unforgettable family day out, visit the World Heritage Site of Stonehenge.  Located near Salisbury in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, it is a highlight of the South West.

The true meaning of this ancient, awe-inspiring creation has been lost in the mists of time. Was Stonehenge a temple for sun worship, a healing centre, a burial site or perhaps a huge calendar? How did our ancestors manage to carry the mighty stones from so far away and then, using only the most primitive of tools, build this amazing structure? Surrounded by mystery, Stonehenge never fails to impress.

Last of all we headed to Old Sarum.  There isn't much left of this castle, but we still had a fantastic time playing.  Since it is Good Friday, many of the castles this weekend are hosting Easter activities - a little crowded, but very fun.  I think the boys wished we hadn't sent their swords on the boat :)

Discover the story of the original Salisbury and take the family for a day out to Old Sarum, 2 miles north of where the city stands now. The mighty Iron Age hill fort was where the first cathedral once stood and the Romans, Normans and Saxons have all left their mark.

Today, 5,000 years of history are told through graphic interpretation panels on site. Families, heritage lovers and walkers can enjoy a great value day out at Old Sarum- you could even bring a picnic and enjoy the fantastic views across the Wiltshire countryside.

It was definitely a fun-filled day of history; and there is hopefully so much more to come!