Kenilworth Castle: Medieval Castle and Elizabethan Showpiece

First built in the 1120s and a royal castle for most of its history, Kenilworth Castle was expanded by King John, John of Gaunt and Henry V. In 1563 Elizabeth I granted it to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, who converted Kenilworth into a lavish palace. The castle’s fortifications were dismantled in 1650, and the ruins later became famous thanks in part to Walter Scott’s 1821 romance, ‘Kenilworth’.

A generation later, this strategically important castle was in royal hands. Henry II garrisoned it against his rebellious sons in 1173–4, and acquired it outright in the 1180s.

The tower itself had two storeys beneath a walkway at roof level. The significant changes in the castle’s layout and functioning in the 16th century have partly impeded a better understanding of how the great tower was used.

However, we can be certain that the building was laid out to impress upon visitors the great power and influence of its builders and owners.

In 1253 Henry III granted the castle to Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, for life. De Montfort’s fateful decision to lead a rebellion against the king cost him his life at the Battle of Evesham in 1265.

After the battle, some of his followers made a last stand at Kenilworth in what became the longest siege in English medieval history.

This iron arrowhead probably dates from the time of the siege.

Knights often extended their adornment to their horses, which were also a sign of prestige.

Pendants like this, which would have hung from a bridle or saddle, are frequent finds from medieval sites.

This large bone toggle might have been used to attach equipment to a horse’s saddle.

Elizabeth visited Kenilworth Castle four times during ‘progresses’ through her realm. Her visit in the summer of 1575 was the longest she made to any courtier during her reign.

Robert Dudley’s careful staging of the queen’s visit in 1575 was clearly intended to impress his importance on the queen – and was perhaps his last attempt to win her hand in marriage.

Within the castle’s inner court, Leicester erected this four-storey tower block, now known as Leicester’s Building. It was designed especially for the queen’s use in 1572 and improved for her next visit in 1575.

As well as improving the hunting park outside the castle walls with bowers, arbours, seats and walks, Leicester also laid out a privy garden especially for the queen’s 1575 visit.

In 2009 English Heritage was able to recreate Robert Dudley’s lost garden using contemporary written accounts, archaeological evidence and historic images.

It was the first ever recreation of an Elizabethan garden on such a grand scale.

Dudley’s additions to the castle were elaborately decorated.

This carved helm is from an architectural frieze, and shows in detail the S-shaped ‘breaths’ of an actual helmet, which provided ventilation for the knight wearing it.

By the late 18th century tourists and artists alike had begun to take an interest in Kenilworth’s picturesque ruins. The 1821 publication of Sir Walter Scott’s romantic novel ‘Kenilworth’ put it firmly on the map as a major tourist attraction.