Colchester Castle

- 1st–10th Century Pre-history (Colchester site origins)

The Roman Conquest of Camulodunum (AD 43), the initial Roman invasion of Britain, led to the capture and destruction of the Celtic fortress at Camulodunum (later Colchester). 

Between 49-60 AD, the Temple of Claudius, the largest Roman temple in Britain, was built on the site.

- Late 11th century (Castle construction begins)

The Norman Conquest took place, and in 1066, William the Conqueror ordered a royal castle to be built on the site of the temple. Construction of a Norman keep is initiated by Eudo Dapifer, steward to William, using the Roman temple's podium as the base.

- 12th century (Castle completed and garrisoned)

The town of Colchester and the Castle were granted to Eudo Dapifer in 1101, who remained custodian until his death in 1120, and the Castle reverted back to the Crown. Crown-appointed constables or the High Sheriff of Essex oversee the Castle's governance.

The Keep was built in multiple phases, with some debating that construction on the Castle possibly resumed in 1125, with the Keep completed to three or four storeys.

Substantial sums were spent in 1182 on repairs and additions to the Castle, including a new Bailey and stone walls erected on the south and west sides of the Upper Bailey, likely on top of the bank, with a main gate at the southwest corner.

By 1190, evidence suggests the presence of a permanent garrison at Colchester Castle.

- 13th century (Castle sieged/ service as a prison began)

In 1214, William de Lanvalai served as the hereditary constable of Colchester Castle and opposed King John. He left the Castle in the sheriff's care and joined the rebel barons several months later. Stephen Harengood, a Flemish mercenary, was appointed as the replacement constable to improve the Castle's defences.

Come June 1215, King John initially accepted the Magna Carta at Runnymede, which included a provision to return Colchester Castle to Lanvalai. However, John soon rejected the Magna Carta's terms, leading to the First Barons' War outbreak.

Colchester Castle is occupied by the French and garrisoned in support of the barons against King John. It was besieged for three months and suffered damage but was ultimately regained by the Crown.

As a truce, the Castle was temporarily given to the Barons but later recovered by Henry III in the Treaty of Lambeth in September 1217. William of Sainte-Mère-Église, the Bishop of London, was appointed constable of the Castle.

By 1226, there was evidence of the Castle's first use as a prison.

In the latter half of the century, the Castle underwent repair work. Although the military significance of the Castle diminished, a barbican with two D-shaped towers was built adjacent to the southwest tower to strengthen the main entrance.

- 14th -15th centuries (Castle used as a prison)

Around 1333, the constable took down the house in the Bailey, which served as a place for the justices to convene. The portcullis and potentially other components of the Keep's entrance were also removed. 

By 1350, the Castle's military importance continued to decline. Yet, some repairs were conducted, and it primarily served as the county gaol.

Trials, including trials by combat, were occasionally held at the Castle, with the last recorded instance in 1375.

Additional repairs were conducted in 1422. It appears that the gaol remained in the Bailey until 1455, albeit its age and deterioration had rendered it so feeble that prisoners managed to escape through the dilapidated roof during that time.

- 17th century (Castle partially dismantled and abandoned)

The Castle was allowed to decay throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, and by 1600, the Castle was no longer defensible.

By 1622, the Upper Bailey buildings and much of the Bailey wall had collapsed. The Castle was alienated by the Crown and sold in 1629. Around that time, the burials of several prisoners were found outside the south entrance of the Keep.

By 1631, the state of the Castle had deteriorated significantly, leaving prisoners exposed to the elements. Furthermore, in 1633, the dungeon's roof experienced serious leaks and finally collapsed in 1637. 

During the English Civil War, Parliamentarians lay siege to Colchester. In 1645, Matthew Hopkins, the 'Witchfinder General,' used Colchester Castle as a base for interrogating women suspected of witchcraft. Many deaths, possibly up to 100, occur as a result.

Royalists attempted to fortify the Castle in 1648, likely causing damage before the town fell. Royalists Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle are held in the 'Lucas Vault' and later executed by firing squad.

In 1650, the Castle was reported to be not worth the cost of repairs. The Bailey walls were dismantled, and the stone was sold. In addition, the Upper Bailey was divided into yards and gardens, and houses encroached upon the Bailey ditch.

House plots were laid out over the Bailey ditch from 1680-1683, at which point John Wheeley, a local ironmonger, purchased the Castle. He attempted to dismantle the towers and walls using gunpowder, excavating beneath the arched foundations for treasure and creating the remaining vaults. 

Wheeley partially demolished the Castle and sold the stone to local builders; however, the venture proved unprofitable and was abandoned before the Castle was completely destroyed.

From 1691 onwards, except for brief periods, a part of the Castle served as a county prison for prisoners from the Colchester area.

- 18th century (Castle restored and altered)

In 1727, Mary Webster purchased Colchester Castle, which she gifted to her father, Charles Grey, a lawyer and antiquarian, as a wedding present. 

Believing it to be a Roman construction at the time, Grey endeavoured to preserve the Castle for future generations. He undertook restoration and alteration of the Castle, including adding a library, arches by the well and on the first floor, and enlarging windows on the south wall. He also added Mediterranean-style roof tiles which can still be seen today from within Castle Park.

Other notable additions include a study built above the northeast tower in 1746, a dome built above the great staircase in 1760, and an additional room against the northeast tower in 1767.

Gray also established the Grey Artillery Company, which helped protect the Castle and its grounds. Furthermore, he bequeathed the Castle and its surrounding land to the town in his will, ensuring its long-term preservation and accessibility to the public. 

James Round is believed to have continued the restoration after inheriting the Castle from Gray. He is credited with creating the remaining east doorway, completed between 1786 and 1804, and likely constructed the pitched roof covering the chapel undercroft by 1791.

- 19th (Museum opened and Park created)

The Castle remained functioning as a county prison until 1824, when new rules on prison accommodation rendered the gaol almost useless, leading to its closure in 1835.

In 1855, the Castle's undercroft was dedicated as a museum for the town and opened in 1860, displaying archaeological collections to the public. A small room in the southwest tower became a town muniment room in 1865.

From 1892-1896, the surrounding grounds are altered to create a public park, now known as Castle Park.

- 20th century (Castle gifted to Colchester Borough Council)

In 1919, with funds provided by W.D. Pearson, Viscount Cowdray, the Keep was gifted to Colchester Borough Council as a memorial for the First World War, and a monument was erected by the south entrance. 

The vaults beneath the Castle were reinforced by the Office of Works in 1931. From 1934-1935, the development of the museum within the Castle began. A steel roof with a concrete frame was added, and a bridge to the entrance was built.

During World War II, the Roman vaults were used as an air raid shelter, and the Norman keep displayed exhibitions supporting the war effort.

In the 1980s, conservation work was carried out on the historic fabric. Archaeologists uncovered the remains of the Roman temple and the foundations of the medieval Keep. They also discovered evidence of the Castle's transformation over time, including defensive structures, living quarters, and even a well-preserved Roman mosaic floor. 

- 21st century

Additional conservation work was conducted in 2013-14 to ensure the long-term structural stability of the Castle while creating an engaging and informative experience for visitors.

The project focused on the Keep, which involved repairs to the walls, roofs, and windows. Restoration works also included refurbishing the interiors, installing new lighting, and improving visitor facilities. 

By 2017, the museum occupied the entire castle building.

Today, Colchester Castle stands as a remarkable testament to the town's rich heritage and offers visitors a glimpse into its storied past.