Framlington Castle

The present remains date almost entirely from late 12th Century. In 1190 Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk made good the damage to the castle caused when Henry III ordered its destruction 1177.

He also added to the castle resulting in 13 strong towers, walls and defending earthworks. It was one of the first to dispense with a great tower. In 1213 King John stayed at the castle and three years later he besieged and captured it. It then became the chief seat of the Mowbray family and later the Howards, dukes of Norfolk.

In 1553 Princess Mary came to stay at the castle and it was here that the Earl of Norfolk came to tell her that she had become Queen of England. The dukes of Norfolk preferred to stay in their more comfortable properties and little use was made of the castle except when it was used by Elizabeth I as a prison.

The main entrance was altered and the bridge built by the 3rd duke and the ornamental chimneys on most of the towers were added in the 16th century.

Framlingham castle took no part in the Civil War and as a result its battlements are well preserved.

In 1636 the castle was bequeathed to Pembroke College, Cambridge with the proviso that all castle excepting the stone building should be demolished and a poor-house built on the site.

The great hall and other internal buildings were gradually pulled down. The poor-house lasted for 200 years and the castle was then used as a county court.