the South Wing of the Upper Ward
outside the Norman Gate
St. George fighting the dragon
Queen Victoria dominates the front of Castle Hill
on the North Terrace
Windsor Castle
After William the Conqueror defeated King Harald Godwinson in the battle of Hastings in 1066 he quickly moved  to consolidate his hold over England.

One of the first measures he took was to build a wooden fort at Windsor that guarded a stretch of the Thames.
 
Early in the 12th century Henri I made the fort his royal residence and Windsor Castle has kept that position ever since.
 
Soon the wood was replaced by stone and fortifications were strengthened. That strategy payed off nicely during the siege in the First Baron's War. 
 
Subsequent monarchs spent lots of money to rebuilt, modify, enhance and beautify the castle.
Of particular beauty and costs are the State Apartments in the Upper Ward, created in the 19th century.
 
Presently the castle serves as weekend home for the Queen and is used for official ceremonies.
 
We visited Windsor Castle in June 2010.
website099047.jpg website099046.jpg website099045.jpg website099044.jpg website099043.jpg website099042.jpg website099041.jpg website099040.jpg website099039.jpg website099038.jpg website099005.gif website099036.gif website099035.gif
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
end
website099006.gif website099004.gif
visitors use this the entrance to the castle
website099005.gif website099006.gif website099005.gif website099004.gif
the Middle Ward with a view of the Edward III tower
3
website099006.gif website099005.gif website099004.gif website099006.gif website099005.gif website099004.gif website099006.gif website099005.gif website099004.gif
this is the other side of the Norman Gate
website099006.gif website099005.gif website099004.gif website099006.gif website099005.gif website099004.gif
this must definitely be the roughest part of a guard's job
website099006.gif website099005.gif website099004.gif
the Lower Ward with St George's Chapel to the left
website099006.gif website099005.gif website099004.gif
marching back to the barracks
website099006.gif website099005.gif website099004.gif website099006.gif website099005.gif website099004.gif website099006.gif website099005.gif website099004.gif
outside the castle with King Henry VIII gate to the left
website099003.jpg website099002.jpg website099001.gif