Castle Rising: Facts and Information

Here are some facts about Castle Rising.

Castle Rising is located in the village of Castle Rising, near King’s Lynn in Norfolk.

The castle was constructed by William d’Aubigny II, Earl of Arundel in 1138
It was designed to be fortress combined with a hunting lodge. It’s location was not of massive strategic importance, but the site did allow for a large hunting park to be established.
In the 12th century, Castle Rising would probably have been mainly accessed by boat via Babingley River.
Castle Rising had three baileys and a stone keep. A Norman chapel, already on the site, was protected by the castle’s defences.
Castle Rising was the residence of Queen Isabella of France from the early 1330s to her death in 1358.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, Castle Rising was owned by the Duchy of Cornwall and became popular as hunting location. Mary Tudor visited the castle during this period.
By the early to mid-16th century, Castle Rising was becoming a ruin. The roof had collapsed and floors of the great hall were in disrepair.

Castle Rising

In 1544, Henry VIII gave the castle to Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk.
By 1570, huge rabbit warrens had damaged the castle’s earthworks, and, in time most of the buildings were removed, leaving only the ruined stone keep.
In 1822, restoration work was carried out on the stonework of the keep and the ground of the inner keep was stripped to its original level.
During the 1970s, archaeological work was carried out on the site.
In 1983 English Heritage took over the site. It has been classified as an Ancient Monument under UK law.
Castle Rising’s earthworks covered an area of 12 acres.
The Norman chapel, located on the north side of the inner bailey. Its roof was made from Roman tiles from local villas.
Castle Rising’s stone keep is similar in appearance to the Norman keep of Norwich Castle.
There are several carvings of cats throughout Castle Rising. It is thought that this shows a connection to Felix, the First Bishop of East Anglia.

What next? Learn more facts about castles.