Saturday 5 February 2011

Bodiam Castle

My friend Lorna and I visited Bodiam Castle in East Sussex today.
There are ducks everywhere.



Bodiam Castle was built in 1385 by an enterprising knight called Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, who applied to the King for a 'license to crenellate' (I love that phrase!), so that he could turn his manor house into a castle. He had a new castle built in fact, and had the surrounding grounds landscaped. It is a perfectly castlelly castle-set in a moat, with towers and battlements and overlooking a beautiful valley.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

What a great looking place, I can just imagine Sir Edward dressed in his suit of armour riding across the bridge.

→lisa said...

What an incredible (and crenellated) place. I have castle envy, big time!

It looks fairly unkmept. What is the level of upkeep on this castle? Just structural work to keep it standing? Is it a government-run park, or is does it belong to someone?

Sorry, I have so many questions! We just don't have things like that over here. I guess that's what we get for starting a new nation... :D

Anonymous said...

An excellent castle - you always visit the best of places!

Yiota said...

breathtaking! i love such places!

snoopydogknits said...

Looks like a great day out was had. Fab photos as always! It has just the perfect castle 'look'! Hope you have a great week. Ros

jabblog said...

Lovely photos, Sarah :-)
I haven't been to Bodiam Castle since I was a child. It is a splendid place to visit. I like the 'permission to crenellate'.

Leenie said...

So mossy and misty and so Britian. Amazing structure that has survived the centuries. It must have been an awesome experience to stand in such an ancient place.

Still, I can't help think of The Quest for the Holy Grail and look on the turrets for a French guy in a helmet yelling down insults at those "English Ka-nigets." hehe

Shell said...

Now, that's a castle!! It's beautiful and has such a weathered look to it.

Tracy said...

Ah, the romance...Soft clouds, gray-ish skies, a moat... it's soooo English--I just adore it! We've not been to Bodiam oddly enough, and it's not far from London... we must get there! ;o) Thanks for taking me in the meantime, Sarah! Happy Day ((HUGS))

Kat Mortensen said...

Hey Sarah! Back in the 80s I bought an album purely for the cover with a castle on it and I'm sure it was this one! I couldn't tell you the name of the band now, but I'm pleased to finally know where the photo was taken.
What fantastic photos are these, though!

Kat

aimee said...

i just finished reading I Capture the Castle and it looked just like this in my mind. wow -- what an incredible place!

Anonymous said...

Wow! What I'd give to visit Europe just a few more times! That's the kind of places that I'd love to see!