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Framlington Castle

Framlington Castle
Attraction: Castles & Cathedrals
Admission Charge: Free
Town: Framlington
County: Suffolk
Telephone: 01728 724189
Website: http://www.english-heritage.or.uk/eastofengland
Description
Framlington Castle is a fine late 12 Century castle, former home to Mary Tudor.  The present remains date almost entirely from late 12th Century.

In 1213 King John stayed at the castle and three years later he besieged and captured it.  It then became the chief seat of the Mowbray family and later the Howards, Dukes of Norfolk. 

In 1553 Princess Mary came to stay at the castle and it was here that the Earl of Norfolk came to tell her that she had become Queen of England.   The dukes of Norfolk preferred to stay in their more comfortable properties and little use was made of the castle except when it was used by Elizabeth I as a prison.  

The main entrance was altered and the bridge built by the 3rd duke and the ornamental chimneys on most of the towers were added in the 16th century. 

The castle took no part in the Civil War and as a result its battlements are well preserved. 

In 1636 the castle was bequeathed to Pembroke College, Cambridge with the proviso that all the castle excepting the stone building should be demolished and a poor-house built on the site.  The great hall and other internal buildings were gradually pulled down.   The poor-house lasted for 200 years and the castle was then used as a county court.   

During the summer you can watch joists and see the gladiators engage in combat for your entertainment.  Then see the surgeon go about his grisly work on the survivors.


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