Bodiam Castle

Dalingridges

The founder of the castle is considered to be Edward Dalingridge, a descendant of the old Sussex noble family, who lived next to Daling Bridge, near East Grinstead . The Bodiam feud went to him in 1378 after marrying Elizabeth Vardo. On October 21, 1385, Dalingridge received permission to "strengthen the estate to protect the surroundings of Rother and stop the advancement of the French." A little later, the castle was built, where Edward Dalingridge settled. After his death in 1395, the castle and all possessions were inherited by his son John Dalingridge. In 1483, the Dalingridge family ceases to exist.

Leuknors

In 1483, the castle was taken over by the Leuknor family as a result of the marriage of Thomas Leuknor to Lady Delingridge. Leuknors were supporters of Lancaster during the Rose War , as a result of which the castle was besieged by the royal troops of Richard III . After a short siege, the castle surrendered. He returned to the Leuknor family in 1500, and from 1639 to 1645 the estate belonged to John Tufton, the second Earl of Thanet. Like many other castles in Britain, Bodiam suffered from parliamentary forces during the English Civil War .

Later, the castle again returned to the Leuknor family and was inherited by the youngest branch of the family.

Powell

In 1644, the castle was sold to Republican Nathaniel Powell. After his death, the castle passed to his son, also Nathaniel.

Resale Period

In 1722, the castle was bought by Thomas Webster. For a century, the castle has been associated with the Webster family. It was during this period, in connection with the high popularity of the area among tourists, that the first drawings of the castle appeared.

The next owner of the castle was the “crazy Jack” Fuller , Esquire from Brightling.

The huge, charismatic Fuller was distinguished by violence and disobedience. He was removed from the Parliament for misconduct, but he played a positive role in the fate of the Bodiam Castle. He restored one of the towers, built a new gate.

In 1864, Fuller’s grandson sold the castle to Lord Eschcombe. For forty years, he undertook several repairs of the castle, partially restoring the external walls.

In 1917, Lord Curzon acquired the castle and began its next restoration. In 1925, after his death, the castle was bequeathed to the organization "National Trust", which today maintains the castle in excellent condition.

The location of the castle was allegedly chosen to protect the south coast of England from French raids. But the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments came to the conclusion that the Bodiam Castle is extremely unusual, as it is located at a great distance from the coastline. The castle is in the middle of the moat. Side gates are connected to the south coast via a drawbridge. The main entrance is connected by a wooden and drawbridge.

Appearance

The quadrangular castle is approximately square in shape. This type of castle, with a central courtyard and buildings near the outer wall, was typical of castles of the 14th century. The castle has four round towers and three square central towers on the south, east and west walls. The main entrance to the castle is located in the middle of two watchtowers.

• List of castles in England

• Medieval Symbols in the Culture of West and East: Castles.