
Corfe Castle Dorset #2

by Gordon James
Title
Corfe Castle Dorset #2
Artist
Gordon James
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Corfe Castle Monument. Corfe Castle is a fortification standing above the village of the same name on the Isle of Purbeck peninsula in the English county of Dorset. Built by William the Conqueror, the castle dates to the 11th century and commands a gap in the Purbeck Hills on the route between Wareham and Swanage. The first phase was one of the earliest castles in England to be built at least partly using stone when the majority were built with earth and timber. Corfe Castle underwent major structural changes in the 12th and 13th centuries.
In 1572, Corfe Castle left the Crown's control when Elizabeth I sold it to Sir Christopher Hatton. Sir John Bankes bought the castle in 1635, and was the owner during the English Civil War. His wife, Lady Mary Bankes, led the defence of the castle when it was twice besieged by Parliamentarian forces. The first siege, in 1643, was unsuccessful, but by 1645 Corfe was one of the last remaining royalist strongholds in southern England and fell to a siege ending in an assault. In March that year Corfe Castle was slighted on Parliament's orders. Owned by the National Trust, the castle is open to the public and in 2018 received around 237,000 visitors It is protected as a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Uploaded
May 1st, 2014
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Comments (2)

Lesley Evered
Congratulations, your picture has been FEATURED on the home page in the group COASTAL COUNTIES OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND UK on 27th April 2024. Like/Favourite. You are invited to add this featured image to the group discussion page "Best Twelve Featured Images – April, May, June 2024 The link will be found on the group e mail

Ira Shander
Very mysterious and interesting Gordon. Thank you for the send.
Gordon James replied:
Thank you Ira for your comments. The late evening light has created the harsh shadows. Much different to most of the other images I have taken of Corfe Castle.