Wharram Percy is one of Britain’s most famous, fascinating and intensively researched deserted medieval villages. A great deal is known about Wharram Percy. The site was probably in use occupied from the Iron Age before being abandoned in the 16th century, a period of some 5,000 years. The village existed in the Saxon period, but
Arguably one of the best attractions in London, the medieval Tower of London, now surrounded by the 21st century City, has been so many things – Norman fortress, medieval palace, prison, place of execution – even a menagerie. There is so much to see, not least the Crown Jewels. William the Conqueror famously built a
Castle Stede near Hornby (Hornebi at the time of Domesday) was owned by Tostig, brother of King Harold before the Norman Conquest. It was a substantial motte and bailey fortress, dated as late 11th century by Historic England. However, some suggest this was constructed on the site of an earlier Iron Age fort or settlement.
The limited remains of St Mary’s Abbey in York lie in the gardens of the Yorkshire Museum. The abbey was once one of the wealthiest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England, its abbot as influential as the Archbishop of York, whose Minster Church is a neighbour. The abbey must have been magnificent in its
Hampshire’s New Forest covers an area of 220 square miles (570 square kilometres) and it was established as a National Park in 2005. The highest point is Telegraph Hill at just under 460 feet (140 metres). It is based on William the Conqueror’s Nova Foresta, a royal hunting forest created in the 11th century by
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First a Roman fort, then a late 11th century Norman castle, Cardiff Castle became a medieval fortress involved in the Anglo-Norman wars against the native Welsh. It was held by both Royalist and Parliamentary forces during the Civil War and managed to escape the destruction meted out on many of its contemporaries. Eventually, in 1766,
The Rufus Stone is an iron-clad, originally stone, memorial allegedly marking the spot where King William II (‘Rufus’), born c1060 and the third son of William the Conqueror, was killed by an arrow, allegedly by accident, in 1100. The arrow was shot by Sir Walter Tyrrell, aimed at a stag, and apparently glanced off a
Berkhamsted was the scene of the Saxon surrender to William the Conqueror in 1066. From here, he made his way to London and coronation at Westminster Abbey. The castle was built shortly after, a Norman timber and earth motte and bailey affair, probably converted to stone by Thomas a Becket. From 11th to 15th centuries,
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The remains of Whittington’s motte and bailey castle lie entirely in and under the parish church and graveyard of St Michael the Archangel. It is situated on the side of a hill, with wonderful views. In spring, the churchyard is full of daffodils and crocuses. The oldest part of the church is thought to be
Ely Cathedral has a fascinating history. It was founded as a monastic community by Queen Etheldreda in the 7th century on the site of an earlier church. Sacked by the Danes, it was refounded by Benedictine monks in the 10th century and became a centre of learning. There was a monastic school on the site
The Battle of Stamford Bridge, near York, was a significant battle on 25 September 1066, between King Harold’s English army and an invading force of Norsemen under Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson, Harold’s brother. The Norsemen, camped on the east bank of the River Derwent, where the current village is, were attacked from the west
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Beyond some village cottages on a rocky promontory, overlooking the Teifi Gorge is Cilgerran Castle. It is a strategic position, fortified by at least 1108 by the Norman, Gerald of Windsor. It was captured by the Welsh in 1164, retaken by William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, in 1204, recaptured by the Welsh during Llywelyn the
