Berkeley Castle

Built on a graceful rather than imposing site, Berkeley castle consists of a Norman shell keep, remodelled in the 14th Century.

Members of the Berkeley family have lived in the castle since the middle of the 12th century - the only family to have lived so long in a castle of their own name. The shell keep was built in about 1156. The central courtyard floor is 40 feet higher than the ground outside the walls.

Extensive remodelling occurred between 1340 and 1350 and in the inner bailey these buildings including the great hall survive almost intact.

The castle is famous as the place where Edward II was imprisoned in 1327 by his wife, Queen Isabella, and her lover Roger Mortimer. When attempts to starve him to death failed, dead animals were thrown into a pit in his room in the hope that the smell would kill him. When this failed Isabella had the king murdered by having a red-hot poker forced into his bowels.

During the Civil War the castle was attacked by Parliamentary troops who captured the castle after three days of siege causing a 35 foot breach in the west wall.

Most of the castle, including the breach, remains unchanged to this day.