| Date | 28 September 2012 |
|---|---|
| Source | Slough Observer |
| Reference | VP-0043 |
| Volume | Views of the Past |
| Collection | Views of the Past |
Transcript
Another look at the castle
Email Elias with feedback and your memories on observernews@berksmedia.co.uk
I THOUGHT this week I would share three of my favourite views of Windsor Castle from a period spanning more than 450 years.
The first is an engraving of Windsor Castle in 1563 from Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, which depicts the burning of heretics Robert Testwood, Henry Filmer, Anthony Pierson and John Marbeck in July 1543. The group disapproved of the way the church was run after the Reformation.
The engraving shows the architecture of the castle in great detail with some of the turrets reminiscent of the White Tower at the Tower of London. The next view shows the castle more than 200 years later in 1780. This engraving by Robert Sayer shows the castle viewed from the Thames. This view is dominated by an imposing 17th-century structure which housed Sir Samuel Moreland’s water engine, built in 1681. The engine pumped 60 barrels an hour up to the Terrace Walk and could supply the castle with water. The engine was replaced by Queen Anne in 1710 and had gone out of use by 1825. By this time the castle had reached an advanced position of decay – the turrets were showing large cracks in them – leading to rebuilding by William IV. The final view shows Windsor Castle in 1870 – 100 years later. The castle had gone through a complete remodelling and rebuilding between 1825-1836 under the architect Jeffry Wyatt (later Wyattville), which included heightening the Round Tower by an additional 40 feet.
For further views of the castle, see my book, Vanished Windsor. It has rare illustrations of the town from the 15th century onwards and is available from Windsor Museum and Waterstones in Peascod Street.
ROYAL VIEW: Below Windsor Castle in 1563 – from Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. Right, Windsor Castle in 1780 – this engraving by Robert Sayer shows the castle viewed from the Thames. Above right, Windsor Castle in 1870.
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