Arundel Castle and Gardens

Arundel Castle is poised commandingly over the River Arun, in West Sussex and is not only a medieval fortification, but is also a stately home.

The Arundel castle was built by one of William the Conqueror’s most loyal followers, Roger de Montgomery, in 1068 to secure the area around the river Arun. The original fortification consisted of a wooden fortified motte, or mound. This was later increased by the addition of two baileys, as the castle’s fortifications were increased and improved. The castle stayed in the hands of Roger de Montgomery’s family until 1102, when it was besieged by followers of King Henry I and reverted to the Crown.

Upon his death in 1135, Henry bequeathed the castle to his second wife Adelize de Lovain, who remarried and settled there with William d’Albini II. Albini further improved the castle by building the magnificent square stone keep on the motte, which stands there to this day.

William gave the king’s daughter Matilda sanctuary in Arundel in 1132 when the castle was besieged by King Stephen. In spite of this the Albinis remained in control of the castle and their descendants still live there to this day. Twice the castle passed via a female heiress; first to the Fitzalans in 1243 and then to the Howards in 1555. The Howards carried the title of Duke of Norfolk, and the Dukes of Norfolk have steadily built on and improved the castle.

In 1642 and 1643 during the Civil War the castle was badly damaged; first by the Royalists and then by Cromwell, when it was re-taken by the Parliamentarians. Henry the 15th Duke of Norfolk is responsible for much of the current structure; his major restoration was carried out between 1875 and 1900. As part of the renovation, electric lighting was installed in the castle, making it one of the first great houses in England to use electric lights.

The castle contains many treasures; notably a collection of personal possessions of Mary Queen of Scots: tapestries, clocks, a superb collection of furniture dating back to the 16th century, portraits by Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Reynolds, Canaletto and many others. Particular features are the Gothic Fitzalan chapel, with its carved timber roof and choir stalls, and the bedroom and library furniture commissioned for a short stay by Queen Victoria.

There are several gardens set in the forty-acre grounds, which were also re-worked during the 19th century renovations.

 

The Gardens