Orford Castle

I hope you're all keeping well and safe.

Since my fall the other day I have been taking it easy doing sit down things, dolls house work, reading, and sorting out hundreds of photos, remembering pre covid days when we were out and about without a care in the world.

I think this was last Sep/Oct, I know it was Autumn because the light faded very early and this was the last English Heritage castle we visited before they all closed for winter.

The unique polygonal tower keep of Orford Castle is one of England’s most complete and unusual keeps.Built in the 12th century for Henry II, it was intended to curtail the power of the turbulent East Anglian barons, such as Hugh Bigod of nearby Framlingham Castle. 

The unconventional design is matched by an unusual history, marked by drama of all kinds. Well what else would we expect from squabbling monarchs, lords and noblemen!!

Robert Malet was a Norman nobleman and important landowner in the late 11th century. Around 1100, he founded the town of Orford on the Suffolk coast near a projecting stretch of land now called Orford Ness. This piece of land created a naturally sheltered harbour, and Orford flourished as a port.

When Malet died in 1105 his lands passed to King Henry I, who in turn gave them to his nephew Stephen de Blois in 1113. Stephen declared himself king in 1135 when Henry I died, and the country descended into civil war. The Earl of Suffolk, Hugh Bigod, sided with Matilda, Henry I’s only surviving legitimate child, and tried to use the war to bolster his already considerable power in East Anglia.

Stephen declared his own son, William, Earl of Suffolk, and gave him land in the county including the Honour of Eye (a large collection of estates) which contained Orford. Though the war ended in 1153 with Stephen remaining king but recognising Matilda’s son as his successor, the two groups in East Anglia remained at loggerheads.

In the reign of King John, Orford Castle was taken by Prince Louis leader of the rebellious barons fighting against the King. But with the death of John in 1216 and the reversal of military fortunes for the French led rebellion, it petered out and Orford was taken back into Royal ownership. The castle was garrisoned again during the reign of the weak and ineffectual Edward II, but thereafter Royal requirements for it reduced and Edward III sold it 1336 to the Earl of Suffolk. Although used as a residence it fell into disuse until opened to the public in the 1930s.

The Lower Hall was one of the most important rooms in the castle. The large fireplace provided warmth and the tall windows let in plenty of light. Visitors gathered here to feast. The highest ranking person sat at the high table with the most important guests. 

The Upper Hall and the rooms off it were reserved for the most important people staying at the castle, such as the sheriff or the constable in charge.

Bread was served with every meal: white bread for the social elite and brown for everyone else. Inside are the remains of the oven lined with roof and floor tiles that were considered to be 'seconds', not good enough to be used elsewhere in the castle.

Given its age the castle is impressively intact from the basement, through the lower and upper halls to the roof where there are magnificent views seaward to Orford Ness. Around the rooms is a maze of passages leading to the chapel, kitchen and other chambers in the turrets.

Orford is a tiny pretty village.

The light was fading so we had a drive round before leaving for home.

~ Be safe and well ~ 

Polly x