Windsor
castle was a home for the British monarchs in the Regency
period as it is now. It sits on top of an artificial hill
that is skirted by the Thames. The castle was originally
built by William the Conqueror in the eleventh century
who chose the site because of its healthful and pleasant
aspect. His son Henry I greatly improved the castle, adding
many buildings and surrounded the whole with a wall.
Edward
III was born in the castle and, perhaps to celebrate,
tore the Norman edifice down and rebuilt the castle and
chapel of St George that stands there now.
By
the early nineteenth century the castle was divided into
two courts or wards, with a large keep or round tower
inbetween, called the Middle Ward, formerly separated
by the lower ward by a strong wall and rampart. The entire
encloses some twelve acres of grounds.
Adjoining
the castle is Windsor Great Park, in which many kings
and princes have amused themselves hunting hares.
