Arundel Castle is one of the greatest attractions
of West Sussex with a history spanning nearly a thousand years. We take a walk around the impressive grounds
that overlook the River Arun and the beautiful town below. If you missed last week's video we've already
toured the historic streets and lanes of the town and shared some of the fascinating history,
so do check that out at the end. We enter the castle grounds from the lower
Lodge entrance. Parking is conveniently just across the road
in Mill Road costing £5 for a day. For the latest ticket information and opening
times check out this website. The castle looked very different one thousand
years ago when Roger de Montgomery Earl of Arundel was commissioned to build it by William
the Conqueror in 1067. The oldest part, the keep, was built on top
of an artificial mound called "The Motte", following the Norman Conquest in 1066. It was originally constructed of timber providing
360-degree views across the South Downs and out to sea. Roger de Montgomery was one of the principal
councillors of William the Conqueror and was gifted land as a thank you for his support
in the conquest on the understanding that he built a castle for defence, much of this
land we know today as the county of West Sussex. Arundel was a growing important town on the
river and the castle was deemed essential to protect it from attack. The vast complex is today a result of numerous
centuries of expansion, restoration following wars and improvements by successive owners. Luckily a number of the original features
have still been retained. We are walking in the lower lawns there is
a gardener's market going on today. The castle holds a number of fares and events
throughout the year and visitors can even enjoy the spectacle of a recreated jousting
tournament. Do check the website for what's on. These are the recently opened Water Gardens. They were the original stew ponds in which
the friaries and castle inhabitants kept fish for eating in stews. There is a variety of wildlife to observe
as you wander the boardwalks and the new thatched Boathouse and Roundhouse. The castle has pretty much been in the same
family for 800 years. William d’Aubiny, the first Earl of Arundel
inherited the castle in 1138 and since then it has continued to be passed down from father
to son and sometimes father to daughter. The Fitzalan Family were the owners in the
13th century and they undertook a large program of renovations. The Fitzalan male line ceased on the death
of Henry Fitzalan, the twelfth Earl of Arundel whose daughter and heiress Mary Fitzalan married
Thomas Howard fourth Duke of Norfolk in 1555. Thomas's grandfather was the third Duke of
Norfolk and uncle to both Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard who would both go on to marry
King Henry VII before being beheaded. We'll now take a stroll through the Rose Garden,
which is seen at its best in June. The season is almost over during our visit. This was formerly the site of an 18th-century
bowling green. During the English Civil War Arundel Castle
was besieged twice. First by the Royalists and then by the Parliamentarians
whose siege lasted 18 days. Following their victory, many important castles
and stately homes were destroyed and Arundel was badly damaged and left in ruins for 150
years. The Howard family retained ownership of the
castle and made a fortune during the industrial revolution allowing them to renovate the castle,
giving it a new lease of life and creating a 19th-century stately home. Queen Victoria came from Osborne house with
her husband Prince Albert for three days in 1846. The 13th Duke of Norfolk undertook a large
remodelling scheme to accommodate them. The bedroom and library furniture were specifically
commissioned for the visit. In 1800 Arundel Castle opened its doors to visitors
for the first time to see the keep and Gatehouse. From 1856 this included the gardens but it
was not until the railway station was built in 1864 that the numbers rose dramatically
coinciding with the demise of Arundel Port but creating opportunity for commerce through
tourism that still flourishing today. The last renovations that show the castle
as we see it today were thanks to Henry the 15th Duke of Norfolk whose project was completed
in 1900. We have arrived at the High Street Lodge entrance,
the 12th Duke of Norfolk demolished houses at the top of the High Street and moved the
route of the London Road to improve the entrance into the castle grounds. We are now making our way to the Fitzalan
Chapel founded in 1380 by the fourth Earl of Arundel. It is in the chancel of the church of Saint
Nicholas in the western grounds of the castle. If you watched last week we mentioned the
church during our walkabout. Entry is through this pretty Garden known
as "The White Garden". Unusually, St Nicolas it is one of the very
few Church buildings that is divided into two worship areas. A Roman Catholic area, the chancel and an
Anglican area, (the nave and transepts). They are separated by iron gates that are
only opened on special occasions. The Fitzalan Chapel is used as a private Mausoleum
of the Earls of Arundel and Dukes of Norfolk. A number of noted Fitzalan and Howard family
members are buried in the chapel, many in tombs adorned with sculptured effigies. Most notable was Philip Howard 13th Earl of
Arundel. He lived mainly during the reign of Queen
Elizabeth I. He was charged with being a Roman Catholic, quitting England without leave and
sharing jesuit plots. For this he was sent to the Tower of London in 1585. Howard spent 10 years in the tower until his
death from dysentery. He was buried in the towers Church without
ceremony but 29 years later brought to the Fitzalan Chapel with the consent of King James
I. He was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970 as one of the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales,
his remains were then moved one final time and enshrined in Arundel Cathedral at which
point the church changed its dedication to Our Lady and St Philip Howard. Continuing our walk around the 40 acres on
this lovely day, we are heading to the extraordinary Gardens. We were in for a bit of a surprise. The 14th Earl of Arundel, Thomas Howard was
an avid collector bringing back many exquisite items from a grand tour of Europe. When he died he possessed 700 paintings along
with a large collection of sculptures, marble carvings, books and antique jewellery. He became known as "The Collector Earl". Inspired by this story the garden was given
a major makeover by Isabel and Julian Bannerman. Their creation "The Collector Earl's Garden"
is where we are walking now, incorporating themes related to Howard's travels in Italy
and including designs by his travelling companion, one Inigo Jones. The centrepiece of the garden is the oak “Oberon’s
Palace” surrounded by tropical planting. The palace is an exact translation of Inigo
Jones's drawings. Inside this Pavilion is a shell work Grotto
and a fountain that when the water spurts magically supports a golden Coronet. From this area, you can look back across The
Collector Earl's Garden. The stumpery was designed and constructed
by head Gardener Martin Duncan, utilizing roots of ancient yew, sweet chestnut and oak
stumps recovered on the estate mostly from casualties of the famous October 1987 storms. The garden is very well laid out and includes
English herbaceous borders, the cut flower garden and the organic kitchen garden that
supplies the castle with fresh fruit vegetables and cut flowers. The first of the two large glass houses contains
cultivated exotic and tropical fruits. The second Victorian dating from 1850 and
restored is the Vine and Peach House. A selection of autumn fruits and vegetables
and a large chilli collection are here. Leaving the gardens behind us, we head to
the Castle and Bevis Tower. Legend says that Bevis, a great giant from
ancient times agreed to become the warder of the gate and the tower was built to accommodate
him. From this location, you get great views of
the keeper sitting on the Motte and the extensive curtain wall of the castle. We have dropped down into the dry moat and
it's at this point you can see just how steep and imposing the motte is, a perfect deterrent
for would-be attackers. During the English Civil War in 1643, parliamentarians
managed to drain the water supply to the castle at nearby Swanbourne Lake. The defending forces managed to hold out for
16 days before being forced to surrender, dying of thirst. Ahead of us is the Barbican, the Castle Gate
House built around 1080. Another of the very original parts of the
Castle. We would love to show you the interiors but
sadly filming and photography are not allowed inside the castle. It is home to an impressive array of priceless
artwork such as works from Van Dyke, Gainsborough and Canaletto as well as a vast collection
of furniture, sculptures and tapestries.We We can however share the views from on top of
the keep. 131 steep steps bring us up to the strongest
and highest point of the castle. The views are incredible with the sea, River
Arun, town and the South Downs all in sight. We can also see the private apartments of
the current Duke that still lives here. The Dukes of Norfolk have been the hereditary
Earl Marshals since 1672. The office involves the organization of major
state events, such as Royal Weddings, Coronations and funerals. The current Duke, Edward William FitzAlan
Howard 18th Duke of Norfolk organized Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and will continue his
duty with the Coronation of King Charles III later this year. We that's it from Arundel Castle. Hope you enjoyed our time here in the gardens. An amazing place, really interesting. Thanks very much for watching. We've got more like this on the channel so
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