Bodiam
Castle
In
1380 French troops raided Winchester as part of those interminable
struggles we call the Hundred Years War. It was because of the
threat from the French that Sir Edward Dalynrigge received a license
to crenelated.
In practical terms that
means he was given permission to fortify a building. This license
was not given lightly by the crown, for the king risked having rebellious
nobles ensconced within their own castle strongholds. In this case
Richard II hoped that the new castle of Bodiam (1385) would serve
to discourage further French raids.
Despite
its role as a military strongpoint, Bodiam is an almost unbearably
romantic sight, its four (rounded) drum towers surrounded by a
sleeping moat.
Dalynrigge was determined to build in style, and the lord's quarters
within the castle are sumptuous and comfortable beyond the standards
of the time.
Do
not be fooled by the romantic look, however, Bodiam was built
to the most exacting military standards.
There
were no less than three drawbridges and a thick barbican between
any invader and the main entrance.
Things
are not more relaxed within the castle. Dalynrigge was well aware
of the risk of housing mercenaries within his stronghold, so three
of the four angle towers and both entrances are directly connected
to the family quarters, while the retainers were housed in a totally
separate hall.
12
m N Hastings, off A229, National
Trust, open 14 February-1 November 10-6 (or dusk
if earlier), 3 November-3 January, Tues.-Sun. 10-4 (or dusk
if earlier), closed 24-26 December and January 1. Tel. 01580
830436 Fax 01580 830398
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