Wondering where to go yesterday afternoon with a limited amount of time it had to be in easy reach of Thanet I thought it about time to rejoin English Heritage and revisit some of the main local historical attractions.Walmer Castle is one of a string of defences built by Henry VIII in 1540 apart from a three week siege in The English Civil War 1648 I don’t believe it ever came under attack.
Walmer Castle’s main use has been as the residence for he Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports since 1708 and over the last 300 years considerable modification has been made to turn a military structure in to a comfortable residence.
Photography isn’t allowed inside the building but is in the grounds. Click on the links for the pictures.
http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/blogpicts10/id12.htm
http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/blogpicts10/id13.htm
http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/blogpicts10/id14.htm
http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/blogpicts10/id15.htm
http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/blogpicts10/id16.htm
At this point I usually make some excuse about the volume of photographs in their unedited state and promise to go back when I have time and delete the worst of them. Recently however several people have asked me to carry on sticking them up ad hoc, so I won’t.
There is quite a lot memorabilia of past Lord Wardens, for instance a pair of Wellington boots belonging to the first Lord Wellington for me though it is the funny incongruities of history (for instance that Wellington resident of a castle designed to repel catholic invaders should as prime minister be responsible for the catholic reform bill) and the influences of past lord wardens.
As I walked the grounds I liked to feel that I was somehow closer to at least two notable characters that were once lord Wardens Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
Lovely, thank you. I must go there myself.
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