Thursday 5 September 2013

Carisbrooke Castle Chapel and Princess Beatrice Garden

On Tuesday (see post 3 Sept) I took you to see the fortress at Carisbrooke Castle which has been there since Saxon times, but the present castle was begun in about 1100, when the Isle of Wight was granted to the de Redvers family. They raised the great stone shell-keep on its towering mound, and after 1262 the formidable Countess Isabella de Redvers extensively rebuilt the whole stronghold. Following the addition of its double-towered 14th-century gatehouse, Carisbrooke experienced its only serious siege in 1377, beating off a French raiding force.  

After the Spanish Armada passed alarmingly close in 1588, threatening seizure of the Isle of Wight, Carisbrooke was updated as an artillery fortification by surrounding it with 'bastioned' outer earthworks, still impressively visible. Today we are looking at St Nicholas Chapel.


This shot is taken from the inside of this beautiful stain glass window.


Although there has been a chapel on this site since 1070, this building was built by Percy Stone in 1904 to mark the 250th anniversary of the execution of Charles I, who was imprisoned in the castle.


This is the same window taken outside

 St Nicholas Chapel.



King Charles 1's Death Warrant.  Hope you can read it.

Most famous among Carisbrooke's extensive cast of past residents was King Charles I, imprisoned here in 1647-48 after his defeat in the English Civil War. At first comfortably accommodated in the Constable's Lodging, his plots to renew the war later made him a closely guarded captive: an attempt to escape was foiled only when he became wedged in the window bars!


The surrounding architecture of this wonderful window


Another stain glass window


Altar


Views of the magnificent ceiling.



The marvellous organ reaching to the ceiling


Bust of King Charles 1


This is the view of the back of the Chapel and the entrance is where these people are coming in.


Now we are stepping into the garden of Princess Beatrice. 

Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria's youngest daughter and Governor of the Isle of Wight between 1896-1944, made Carisbrooke Castle her summer home after 1914. The Edwardian-style Princess Beatrice garden, designed by TV and radio gardening presenter Chris Beardshaw, was inspired by the princess, and includes a fountain and plantings in the rich colours of the royal arms.





Princess Beatrice enjoying the garden being pushed in her chair by her footman, Jack Kenway White.



English Heitage are grateful to the late Mrs Dorothy Frazer, whose generous bequest and devotion to the island has made the creation of this garden possible. Princess Beatrice also commissioned the altar painting in the tranquil castle chapel, in memory of a son killed in action in 1914.

These next few  shots are of the plants grown in this small garden.  There was a small fountain in the middle of the garden.  
The garden is walled and there were square beds around the fountain mainly in restful colours of green and blue.








Sharon and myself enjoying the garden at the end of a wonderful day at Carisbrooke Castle


This is both the entrance and exit and as we take our leave I hope you have enjoyed all the posts regarding Carisbrooke Castle.
 
If you have missed any of these posts, they can be found at
(Jousting Tues. 27 Aug. Falconry 31 Aug. Tent events 2 Sept.
Carisbrook Castle 3 Sept.)

30 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous chapel and wonderful photos, Margaret!

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    1. Hi Icy Many thanks for your commments and I am glad you liked the post.

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  2. What a beautiful place! I love the shot looking up at the window from outside.

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    1. Hi Mary Many thanks for your comment and I am glad you liked the window.

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  3. That chapel is incredibly beautiful. Thanks so much for this opportunity to see and experience it through your camera's lens.

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  4. Hi Linda I am so glad you really enjoyed seeing this post adn many thanks for your comments.

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  5. It's been a real tour de force.
    The Chapel is a jewel. so simple on the outside but magnificent within.

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    1. Hi Adrian When I went on this day to Carisbrooke Castle i thought I would have one post from it. Hhow wrong can one be!! I think I might be better writing a book!! Anyhow I am so glad you enjoyed it adn thanks for the comments.

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  6. The building is so elaborate.I love seeing the detail which was put into these old buildings.

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    1. Hi Tex Glad you liked the windows and thanks for comment.

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  8. What an incredible place - and I too love the windows. And the garden. Thank you.

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    1. HI EC Yes the windows are beautiful. Thanks for comments.

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  9. Those stained glass windows are amazing, and also the ceilings! I also see something I know and have posted, the very pretty Globe Thistle. SO glad to see you, as well, you are looking so beautiful and now I have actually seen you and more than that teeny little picture.

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  10. This is really an awesome chapel and the windows and stained glass are very beautiful!

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    1. HI Cheryl Yes the stain glass windows are wonderfull. thanks for comment.

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  11. HI Ginny Iamsoglad youliked the windows in the Chapel.They are so beautiful. Thanks you for your kind comments

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  12. the history and architecture is amazing; it was as if I was walking through myself; lovely visit thanks Margaret

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    1. HI Carole Glad you enjoyed youor visit with me to Carisbrooke Castle. It surely is an amazing place and visit. Thanks for comment.

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  13. Isle of Wight, one of my first neighbours here in France was born on I of W so I took more of interest in its history etc I've not seen such an amazing set of photos nor has its history been so well explained..another super post Margaret. That is a stunning church and beautiful stained glass windows...

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    1. Hi Lynn You are always so kind and complimentary with your comments so I thank you. I do put a lot of work into some of these posts so I appreciate that you enjoy them and it is then all worth while.

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  14. Another great post re: Carisbrooke Castle - have so enjoyed reading of your visit and seeing such lovely photos - it has brought back so many happy memories :)

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    1. HI RR Glad I brought you memories of this Castle. thanks for comment

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  15. HI RR I am so glad you enjoyed all my post about Carisbrroke and that it brought back memories for you. thanks for comments.

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  16. All beautiful shots. Love this amazing window and you have captured it at lovely angles. Also, Princess beatrice has changed since the garden's inception. Lovely share margaret!

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    1. HI Jeanne Glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for commments

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  17. The artisans' work here is beyond words. Imagine, to be able to create something so beautiful.

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    1. Hi Pattis I have to agree with you. The work is exquisite. Thanks for comments

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