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Normally known simply as Castle Rising, the castle has for centuries dominated the quiet village where it stands in a large area of grassy banks and ditches which to the purist present a well preserved example of Norman earthwork fortifications.
The castle has a long and exciting history. It was originally built by William de Albini, Earl of Lincoln, in 1138. That same year, he married Queen Alice, widow of Henry I.
The huge keep, rivals Norwich for its size and sheer splendour. The magnificent rooms in the keep tell of power and wealth, even in ruins, they are nothing less than impressive. The forebuilding, which rises almost as high as the tower, remains virtually complete, with a fine staircase and the remains of some decorative arches. The tower reaches to a height of around 50 feet, it would certainly have been somewhat higher than this, with its parapet and roofs to the corner turrets, its length and width are approximately 78 by 68 feet, giving some indication of its former splendour.
Soon after it was built Castle Rising came to prominence as one of the most important castle residences in East Anglia, it walls rang with the sounds of nobility, as one illustrious resident followed another. These included the Earls of Sussex and their successors, the Howard, Dukes of Norfolk, and for some 30 years Castle Rising was the home of Isabella, mother of Edward III, who famously, with her lover Roger Mortimer had caused the murder of Edward II in 1327 and virtually ruled England until Edward seized power in 1330. Once he had regained the throne, Edward had Mortimer executed, and Isabella was forced into retirement. She lived out the rest of her life at the castle, later when entering old age, she joined the order of the Poor Clares and became a nun.
All the rooms available to public view are in excellent repair, these include a chapel with a wall cupboard and a fine wall passage as well as the dramatic staircase and decorative arches of the forebuilding.
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