Landmarks: Windsor, the oldest and largest castle

Dear Diary,

You remember that we are in the United Kingdom now, don't you? The Land of the Royals! We thought of visiting one of the official royal palaces today. It's a very popular site as well. It's none other than Windsor Castle. This is the oldest and the largest occupied castle in the world. It was a royal home and a fortress for over a 1000 years.

According to Aaron, the guide bird, William the Conqueror had chosen the site, high above the River Thames and on the edge of a Sexton hunting ground. The outer walls of today's structure are in the same place as those of the original castle built by William the Conqueror in the 1070s. In the upper ward, successive monarchs have had their private apartments since the 14th century.

In the 1170s, Henry II had rebuilt the castle in stone instead of wood, and in the 1360s, Edward III, who was born at Windsor, had extended the castle. He had created St. George's Hall for the use of the knights of his newly founded Order of the Garter. The St. George Chapel had been a creation of Edward IV and had been completed by Henry VIII. "It is dedicated to the patron saint of the Order of the Garter", explained Aaron.

It is believed that there is a burial site in the castle. So, my friends Koshy and Buddy wanted to go and check out what it looked like. Ten British monarchs are buried in the Chapel: Edward IV, Henry VI, Henry VIII, Charles I, George III, George IV, William IV, Edward III, George V and George VI.

In 1642, Oliver Cromwell had captured Windsor Castle after the Battle of Edgehill, and for the rest of the civil war, it had become a prison as well as the headquarters of the parliamentary forces. George IV, who was a great lover of art and fine decorations, had done most of the beautiful decorations that are seen in the castle today. One of his most remarkable additions had been the Waterloo Chamber, which was created in the 1820s to show portraits commissioned from Sir Thomas Lawrence to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. They represent the monarchs, soldiers and statesmen who were involved in that defeat and its aftermath.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had been devoted to Windsor, where they had spent much of their time. It had been during the reign of Queen Victoria, that, in 1845 the state apartments were first opened to the public.

Prince Albert had died in 1861 from typhoid at Windsor Castle and was buried in the spectacular mausoleum (tomb) that Queen Victoria constructed at Fragmore in the Windsor Home park.

During the Second World War, this Castle had been the home to the young princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret Rose while their parents supported the war. Today, the Queen uses the castle to spend her weekends. The most unfortunate event in the history of the castle happened on November 20, 1992, when a fire started in the private chapel. After an effort of 15 hours, the fire was contained. Nine principal rooms and more than 100 other rooms over an area of 9000 square metres were damaged or destroyed by the fire. It was almost one fifth of the castle. However, within five years, the castle was restored to its former glory.

The St. George Chapel still remains an active centre for worship, with weekly services. This chapel is administered by the Dean and Canons of Windsor. Many royal weddings have been held there. Funerals such as those of Princess Margaret and Princess Alice, 'Duchess, of Gloucester, have also taken place at the chapel.

Various departments of the royal households are based at Windsor Castle. The ancient round tower houses the Royal Archives and the Royal Photograph Collection. The Print Room and Royal Library house precious drawings, prints, manuscripts and books in the Royal Collection.

Many parts of the castle, including the precincts, the state apartments, Queen Mary's famous dolls' house, St. George's Chapel, and the Albert memorial Chapel, are open to the public.

The most eye-catching event at the castle is the Changing of the Guards. But, to see this, you must make sure that the Queen is in the castle.

That was another wonderful experience we had during our journey around the world!

After a long flight around the castle, I am feeling tired. So, I'll stop my scribbling for a while.

Bye!