Corfe Castle from the south
Corfe Castle, in Dorset, England, is a small village and ruined castle situated in a gap in the Purbeck Hills five miles south of Wareham. The village has a population of 1,429 (2001), of which 36% are retired.
The oldest surviving structure on the castle site dates to the 11th century, although evidence exists of some form of stronghold predating the Norman Conquest. Edward the Martyr was purportedly assassinated at the site on March 18, 978.
Construction of a stone hall and inner bailey wall occurred in the 11th century and extensive construction of other towers, halls and walls occurred during the reigns of Henry I, John and Henry III. By the 13th century the castle was being used as a royal treasure storehouse and prison. The castle remained a royal fortress until sold by Elizabeth I in the 16th century.
In 1643, during the English Civil War, the castle came under siege by Parliamentarian forces. Defended by the Royalist Lady Mary Bankes, the castle held out for six weeks before the Parliamentarians withdrew with the loss of 100 men. In 1646, the castle came under a second siege that held for two months before the castle was betrayed by a member of the garrison. After its capture by Parliamentarians, the castle was destroyed with explosives, which results in its current ruined state. The local populace took advantage of this easy source of masonry; door frames and other items originally from the castle can be seen in a number of nearby houses.
Corfe Castle is a National Trust property and is open to the public, receiving 167,582 visitors in 2002; See National Trust Properties in England for a list of more sites.
See other Castles in England.
Events
ShroveTuesday Football, Ceremony of the Purbeck Marblers
References
- Office for National Statistic, Census 2001 data
- Dorset County Council, Visitor Numbers at Selected Attractions 1998 to 2002
