The History of Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle originated as a wooden fort built by William the Conqueror in 1068. This initial motte-and-bailey structure overlooked the River Avon, a location chosen for its strategic importance. By the 12th century, the timber fortifications were rebuilt in stone. The site's position on the river made it a vital stronghold for controlling the Midlands during periods of regional turbulence.
The castle functioned as a military stronghold until the early 17th century. In 1604, the property was granted to Sir Fulke Greville by James I. The Greville family maintained ownership of the estate for several centuries, holding the title of Earl of Warwick. This era of private ownership concluded in 1978 when the family sold the castle.
The Architecture and Setting
Warwick Castle is situated in the town of Warwick on a sandstone bluff at a bend of the River Avon. The river has eroded the rock upon which the castle is built, creating a steep cliff. These geological features, the river and the cliff, provide natural defences for the site. The strategic position on the sandstone bluff has defined the castle's physical presence for centuries.
The facade opposite the town was refortified during the Hundred Years War. This modification resulted in one of the most recognisable examples of 14th-century military architecture. The structural integrity of the walls reflects the defensive requirements of that period. The architecture remains a primary feature of the local landscape.
Masterpieces of the Collection
The collection at Warwick Castle includes significant portraiture from the seventeenth century. Peter Paul Rubens contributed a portrait of Ambrogio Spinola, dated about 1628. Anthony van Dyck is represented by several works, including a portrait of Geertruide de Wael from about 1630, a portrait of a man with a beard from about 1635, and Two Monks, also from about 1630. His work also includes a portrait of Henrietta Maria of France, Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland, dated about 1640.
Other notable acquisitions include a still life by Willem Claesz Heda. This work, dated about 1662, depicts oysters, a nautilus cup, a roemer, a lemon, and various other objects. These paintings reflect the shifting artistic interests of the era, from the formal portraiture of the nobility to the detailed study of inanimate objects.
