Amberley Castle

- Prehistory 

In the Domesday Book, Amberley is recorded as being one of the largest 20% of settlements in 1086, having 37 villagers and 38 smallholders, totalling 75 households.

- 1103

Bishop Luffa of Chichester built a timber-framed hunting lodge on the site, becoming the earliest known structure on the castle grounds.

He also constructed the parish church next door. 

- 1140 (Timber structure replaced)

Bishop Seffrid I demolished the timber-framed building and replaced it with a more elaborate stone hall. 

- 1200

Bishop Seffrid II added the East Wing to the Castle to expand the living quarters.

- 1305–1337 (Castle renovated)

Bishop John of Langton undertook significant renovations and improvements to Amberley Castle. He constructed a larger Great Hall and made various domestic enhancements. During this period, the Castle became known as the "Bishop of Chichester's Summer Palace."

- 1377–1382 (Castle fortified)

Bishop Reede obtained permission from King Richard II to fortify the Castle, adding crenellations, battlements, a gatehouse, and an oubliette. The motive behind this development is often debated, with some speculating it was intended to ward off pirates, while others believe it was primarily for show.

- 16th century (English Reformation)

In 1526, King Henry VIII visited Amberley Castle, seeking advice from Bishop Sherborne regarding his divorce from Catherine of Aragon. The English Reformation brought about significant changes in the ownership and usage of Church properties, including Amberley Castle.

As a result, the Castle was leased to various tenants during that time and through the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. 

As the newly formed Church of England emerged, many Church estates and religious houses were dissolved and fell into crown ownership. Amberley Castle, though still belonging to the Church, was no longer used as a summer palace. Bishop Sherborne became the last Bishop to reside at the Castle.

- 1643–1660 (Great Hall damaged/converted)

During the English Civil War, Amberley Castle became a Royalist stronghold. The tenant at that time refused to pay taxes to Parliament, resulting in Oliver Cromwell sending General Waller to destroy the Castle's defences. The Great Hall was damaged, and approximately 20-30 feet of the Curtain Walls were lost, leaving the Castle in ruins. Local villagers pilfered stones from the ruins, leading to further deterioration.

After the Civil War, Parliament seized the Castle from the Church and sold it to James Butler for the sum of £3,341 (equivalent to approximately £610,500 today). Butler converted the ruins of the Great Hall into a manor house, initiating the transformation of Amberley Castle into its present form.

In 1660, with the Restoration of the Monarchy, Charles II visited the Castle twice and returned it to the Bishopric. However, there is no mention of reimbursement to Butler. Eventually, a long lease was negotiated, and the Butler family continued to reside at the Castle for two more generations.

- 18th century 

Sir John Briscoe acquired the tenancy after the Butler family. He commissioned a mural in the Queen's Room depicting the coat of arms of Charles II and Catherine of Braganza, with them hunting in Arundel or Parham Park. The mural served as a tribute to Charles II's visit to the Castle, showcasing the loyalty of the Briscoe family to the House of Stuart.

- 1872

The Castle was sold by the church commissioners to Lord Zouche, the owner of Parham House, who utilized it as a hunting lodge.

- 1893 (Castle modernized)

Lord Zouche sold Amberley Castle to the 15th Duke of Norfolk. Also known as "The Builder Duke," he modernized Arundel Castle and built Arundel Cathedral. During this period, the Castle entered a new era of restoration and preservation.

- 1926 (Castle enhanced)

The Emmett family purchased the Castle and made further additions, including the construction of the Adams Room, enhancing the flow of the ground floor of the manor house.

- 1945 (Princess Elizabeth visits the Castle)

Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) visited and stayed at the Castle, enjoying the hospitality of her friends, the Emmett family's daughters.

- 1982–88

Baroness Emmett sold the Castle, resulting in a splitting of the Castle Farm and the grounds. This led to a series of different owners, including Hollis Baker from 1982-1987, who restored the 2.5-ton ancient portcullis, and an American family from 1987-1988.

- 1988–89 (Castle converted to a hotel)

Joy and Martin Cummings acquired Amberley Castle, embarking on a project to convert it into a hotel. Despite initial uncertainties about obtaining permission for the conversion, they gained the support of the local community, and the Castle was successfully transformed. 

The restaurant opened for trial runs in February 1989.

- 2004

Amberley Castle became a member of Relais & Chateaux, an exclusive collection of the world's finest hotels and gourmet restaurants. It aligned with the organization's philosophy of the 5C's: courtesy, charm, character, calm, and cuisine.

- 2011

Andrew and Christina Brownsword purchased Amberley Castle, adding it to Brownsword Hotels as part of the Gidleigh Collection. 

- Present

The Castle continues to operate as a prestigious hotel, offering its guests a unique blend of history, luxury, and accommodations. It has gained numerous awards and international recognition for its hospitality.