Remarkable Warwick Castle Eye-opening Tales Of Royal Life
History alive in Warwick Castle stories of fantasy, horror and action
Grand Warwick Castle the wonders of 15th century England
When visiting a grand castle, visitors expect to walk through history and marvel at restored antiques from centuries past. But what if you could do more than observe history? What if you could live it? From the moment we stepped into Warwick Castle, we learned and experienced many wonders of fifteenth-century England.
This historical site offers much more than typical castle tours and scenic views. Delving into the castle dungeons, we were transported into the mid-century and heard first-hand accounts of contemporary treacheries including human dissections, torture chambers and incredibly biased trials.
Related Dean Village Edinburgh, Scotland
We were treated to a feast for the senses as we watched The Falconer’s Quest, a live demonstration featuring over sixty birds of prey from all across the globe. We watched the entire thirty-year history of the War of the Roses play out over thirty minutes in an amazing display of jousting, sword fighting, and more.
30 years of War of Roses in 30 minutes
As we experienced all that the castle had to offer, we were surrounded by visitors of all ages with absolute joy in their eyes. And that is the magic of Warwick Castle, that fantastic ability to draw out childlike wonder in anyone who visits.
Related Yuan Ming Yuan beautiful garden palace for China’s emperors
Founded in 1068 by William the Conqueror, the castle didn’t start as the grand complex it is today. Its beginning was a humble one. Established as a motte-and-bailey fort, this comprised a large earthen mound with a timber stockade surrounding the top and base.
In 1260, the castle was rebuilt in stone, and 90 years later, Caesar’s tower and the dungeon were constructed. Another addition, Guy’s Tower, was added in 1395. By 1450, the gatehouse and barbican [fortified gateway] were completed.
Related Royal Residence Palace of Holyroodhouse Scotland
The ancestral home of the Earl of Warwick was used as a stronghold until the early seventeenth century when it was granted to Sir Fulke Greville from James I in 1604, who converted it to a country house. Now, the castle is open to the public.
Ancestral home Earl of Warwick
Besides castle tours and access to the grounds, various immersive experiences are offered throughout the year. Event offerings change with the seasons, ensuring that audiences will always find something to enjoy at Warwick Castle, whether visiting for the first time or the fifteenth.
Related Horrific stories of the lives and wives of Henry VIII
We managed to visit Warwick Castle on a day with postcard-worthy weather. The sun was high in the soft blue sky. A smattering of clouds languidly passed overhead, and a gentle breeze kept us from being stifled.
Macabre Warwick Castle Dungeon
Deciding to dive head-first into our castle experience, things took a turn for the macabre as we ventured into The Castle Dungeon. An eerie court jester served as our guide, her monotone delivery and unblinking eyes setting us ill at ease.
Related Bride’s Pool death and disastrous bad fortune spawned macabre mythology
After introducing the horrors of everyday life in plague-ridden England, she introduced us to the gruesome plague doctor. Far too interested in the price our innards could fetch him, he gave us a live demonstration of his embalming process with stomach-turning enthusiasm.
Stocks for the crime of terrible fashion
But that wasn’t all. He also took away a member of our group. When they returned to us at the Torturer’s Chamber, their ashen face told us all we needed to know.
Related Peeling off the beautiful layers of French Fashion and Jewellery
When we were later ushered into the Law Court, it was only when the doors were locked behind us that we found out we were to answer for the heinous crimes we supposedly committed. My friend was thrown in the stocks for the crime of terrible fashion.
To my surprise, I found out that I had performed a witch’s ritual the night before and had cackled incantations while dancing naked in the town square! Of course, I had no memory of this and tried to plead as such. But the judge wouldn’t hear it. I was sentenced to burn for my wicked fervour.
But in a moment of magnanimity, I was spared after profusely swearing to reform my devilish ways.
Trebuchet deadly medieval siege machine
The path to the River Avon held many intrigues. Young knights-in-training ran into the maze, eager to find as many friendly dragons as possible (from the British book series Zog) to complete their dragon hunt. Halfway to the river, squires donning outfits remarkably similar to Robin Hood supervised archery and jousting practices for all ages.
Related American Wild West is still alive in Old Tucson
We settled on the riverside while waiting to hear the Legend of the Trebuchet. One of the largest and most formidable siege machines of the medieval era, the trebuchet at Warwick Castle stands at an imposing eighteen metres. Designed in Devon, the twenty metric tonne machinery comprises 300 pieces of oak and ash wood.
Two individuals move the trebuchet to position, moving the arm to position by walking in human-sized hamster wheels that pull the ropes down. When the arm releases, the audience cheers as a great rumble and a cloud of smoke follow.
Related Chinese contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang’s firework art
After crossing the bridge over the River Avon, we’re struck with a history-defining choice – Lancaster or York. Before the joust begins, audience members must choose which side to cheer for. Once the selection is made, visitors file to either side of the list field.
Then, the battle begins. Over thirty action-packed minutes, the three-decade-long history of England’s civil war is played out in a flurry of jousts, sword fighting and gravity-defying stunts on horseback.
War of the Roses highlights
Beginning in the year 1455, Henry VI of House Lancaster and French Queen Margaret of Anjou serve as narrators and actors as they highlight the twists and turns that forged England’s history. When the War of the Roses ended in peace, we made our way back over the River Avon and waited for Warwick Castle’s flying finish.
Known as the country’s largest bird of prey show, The Falconer’s Quest is a grand display featuring sixty birds from all corners of the world. While zoos keep animals and humans separated by cage or glass, Warwick Castle has no such separation.
Related Wildlife Photographer of the Year create interest in conservation
The talented trainers direct the birds to soar high in the air, swoop dramatically into the crowd, and zoom between the rows of spectators at eye level. Much like the whimsical notes from the first Harry Potter film, melodious tunes matched nicely with each introduction.
Birds of all sizes are represented throughout the show.
The Falconer’s Quest
One of the first birds, a gentle barn owl’s graceful swoops are reminiscent of Hedwig. When a blue-grey speckled peregrine falcon glided through the audience, the shock made two teenagers fall out of their seats! The birds steadily grow in size.
The bearded vulture reduces the audience to nothing but oohs and ahhs, a stunning flash of orange and black. Steller’s sea eagle, grey and white except for its bright yellow claws and broad beak, gracefully swoops from one side of the crowd to the other – a pair of Andean Condors round off the line-up.
With a wingspan of about three and a half metres, these fully grown birds stand at 1.2 metres. Once all sixty birds were introduced to the audience, they were released in a magnificent finale of dives, loops and swirls above the crowd.
Related A Haven of Beautiful Birds in Hong Kong Park
The setting sun marked the end of our day at Warwick Castle. As the birds neatly headed back to their sanctuaries at the behest of their keepers, we joined the sea of visitors filing out of the castle grounds.
The horses were in their stables, and the knights were removing their armour away from prying eyes, leaving medieval peasants and squires to bid us all a good evening and thanks for reliving history with them.
Warwick Castle a must visit
Whether you’re a history buff, a family looking for a fun day out, or simply seeking a unique experience, Warwick Castle is a must-visit. Plan your trip today and discover the magic of this historic gem.
Text and Photos Victoria Mae Martyn
