Senate Member
Posts: 6,091 
April 4th, 2007, 05:24 AM
Medieval Corfe Castle reopens after repairs
04/04/2007
The ruins of Corfe Castle rise above the village of Corfe in Dorset. It was partially destroyed during the English Civil WAr when it was laid siege by the Parliamentarian army. The first siege, in 1643, lasted 6 weeks before the Parliamentarians withdrew with the loss of 100 men. The second siege came in 1646 when the Royalists managed to hold off the Parliamentarians for two months before it was betrayed by a member of its garrison. After its capture the Parliamentarians partially destroyed it with gunpowder to ensure that it could never again become a Royalist stronghold. Its owner Sir John Bankes was away from his estate attending to Charles I so defence of the castle was led by his wife Lady Mary Bankes — "Brave Dame Mary" as she became known.
------------------------------------------------
A medieval ruined castle which was a stronghold in the time of William the Conqueror is partially reopening following major repair work, it was announced yesterday.
The £700,000 project to restore Corfe Castle, in Wareham, Dorset, was announced in August last year to conserve the 1,000-year-old monument for future generations.
Phase one of the two-year conservation programme by the National Trust and English Heritage saw stone conservators replace the old lime mortar to consolidate the crumbling masonry in the castle's gloriette and inner ward.
Most of the top part of the castle, which was closed due to health and safety fears last year, has now reopened.
Pippa Russell, visitor services manager at Corfe Castle, said: "By 2005, the ravages of time had begun to catch up with the large pieces of stonework around the keep, many of which lie on their side or upside down where they fell when the castle was blown up by gunpowder in 1646.
"The first phase of the restoration project has gone very well and visitors are now able to explore the inner sanctum of the castle again.
"About 90 per cent of the castle is open, with only the keep area itself still closed."
Phase two, to be completed by summer next year, will focus on repairs to the keep, south west gatehouse and fallen stonework around the ruin which has Scheduled Ancient Monument status.
Perched in a gap in the Purbeck ridge, the castle is thought to have been an important Roman defensive site.
Monarchs have come and gone, including 13th century King John who improved the accommodation and defences and Queen Elizabeth I who sold it to Sir Christopher Hatton, her dancing master and supposed suitor, in 1572.
Corfe Castle was also the inspiration for Kirrin Castle in Enid Blyton's stories.
telegraph.co.uk
Medieval Corfe Castle reopens after repairs
04/04/2007
The ruins of Corfe Castle rise above the village of Corfe in Dorset. It was partially destroyed during the English Civil WAr when it was laid siege by the Parliamentarian army. The first siege, in 1643, lasted 6 weeks before the Parliamentarians withdrew with the loss of 100 men. The second siege came in 1646 when the Royalists managed to hold off the Parliamentarians for two months before it was betrayed by a member of its garrison. After its capture the Parliamentarians partially destroyed it with gunpowder to ensure that it could never again become a Royalist stronghold. Its owner Sir John Bankes was away from his estate attending to Charles I so defence of the castle was led by his wife Lady Mary Bankes — "Brave Dame Mary" as she became known.
------------------------------------------------
A medieval ruined castle which was a stronghold in the time of William the Conqueror is partially reopening following major repair work, it was announced yesterday.
The £700,000 project to restore Corfe Castle, in Wareham, Dorset, was announced in August last year to conserve the 1,000-year-old monument for future generations.
Phase one of the two-year conservation programme by the National Trust and English Heritage saw stone conservators replace the old lime mortar to consolidate the crumbling masonry in the castle's gloriette and inner ward.
Most of the top part of the castle, which was closed due to health and safety fears last year, has now reopened.
Pippa Russell, visitor services manager at Corfe Castle, said: "By 2005, the ravages of time had begun to catch up with the large pieces of stonework around the keep, many of which lie on their side or upside down where they fell when the castle was blown up by gunpowder in 1646.
"The first phase of the restoration project has gone very well and visitors are now able to explore the inner sanctum of the castle again.
"About 90 per cent of the castle is open, with only the keep area itself still closed."
Phase two, to be completed by summer next year, will focus on repairs to the keep, south west gatehouse and fallen stonework around the ruin which has Scheduled Ancient Monument status.
Perched in a gap in the Purbeck ridge, the castle is thought to have been an important Roman defensive site.
Monarchs have come and gone, including 13th century King John who improved the accommodation and defences and Queen Elizabeth I who sold it to Sir Christopher Hatton, her dancing master and supposed suitor, in 1572.
Corfe Castle was also the inspiration for Kirrin Castle in Enid Blyton's stories.
telegraph.co.uk
