Stories Of Intrigue and Betrayal At Corfe Castle

Our rather turbulent and unsettling history has not only kept students of the subject engrossed for generations,  but has also left an indelible mark on our landscape. Prominent buildings that have survived such as Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral have a majesty all of their own, but in many ways, equally captivating are buildings that over the years have seen times of violence and conflict and have been treated rather badly as a result.

The Reformation carried out by Henry VIII to curb the power of the religious leaders has created a plethora of ruined and semi ruined buildings that really take your breath away. From Fountains Abbey and Whitby Abbey in the north to Tintern Abbey on the Welsh borders, it is hard not to be moved by the magnificence of buildings that once had a majesty of their own, and now stand defiant, challenging us not to forget their illustrious past. The English Civil War and the Wars of The Roses have also had a defining effect on the country's infrastructure.

Never a dull moment at Corfe Castle over the years

On my travels around the country, one ruin that never ceases to tug at my heart strings is Corfe Castle set in the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. Of course, if you know the area, you will appreciate that Purbeck is not an island at all, but more a peninsula. Rich in history and eye catching beauty, it is majoritively an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and also includes part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Jurassic Coast, as well as bordering Poole Harbour, the second largest natural harbour in the world. In modern tourism terms, therefore, it is something of a big hitter, a reputation enhanced by nearby Weymouth being used as the venue for sailing at the 2012 Olympics.

Corfe Castle is set in the village of the same name and has a prominence and a beauty that results from its elevated position. When started in the eleventh century it was one of the first English castles to be constructed of stone rather than the earth and timber structures that had prevailed up until then. Major reconstruction works were carried out in the twelfth and thirteen centuries.

Peaceful now after an eventful history

Sir John Bankes, who was Attorney General to Charles I, came into ownership in 1635. The English Civil War turned out to be a turning point in the history of the castle, which continued to support the Royalist cause as Dorset became increasingly under Parliamentary control. In 1643, Sir John Bankes was away in Oxford, leaving his wife, Lady Mary Bankes and their family at the castle. She managed to smuggle supplies in to the castle as it came under siege and even increased the garrison to up to 80 people. The siege against up to 600 Parliamentary forces continued for six weeks before Royalist reinforcements arrived.

As Parliamentary control of the country increased, Corfe became one of the remaining Royalist strongholds, and was once again besieged, this time by Colonel Bingham in 1645. A member of the garrison, a Colonel Pitman colluded with Bingham, and convinced the defending Royalists that he was going to break the siege and return with reinforcements numbering one hundred Royalists, Regrettably the troops that he returned with were Parliamentary forces in disguise, and when the next assault came, the defenders of the castle were attacked from both inside and outside.

Lady Bankes and the defending forces were allowed to leave, and the castle was slighted, leaving it in the condition that is instantly recognisable today. The standard of the structure meant that it was impossible to demolish the castle completely, and whereas as some of the other castles throughout the country were used as stores, the local community were allowed to make use of the fine Purbeck stone to enhance the village.

When the monarchy was restored in 1660, the Bankes family had their properties returned to them. By choice, they decided not to rebuild Corfe Castle, but instead built the fine seventeenth century country house at Kingston Lacey near Wimborne. It is perhaps appropriate that both buildings are now in the care of the National Trust, giving us a very vivid idea of the family and how their fortunes altered over this turbulent time in our history.

These days it remains a reminder of how powerful a building Corfe Castle was in its time. Investigations have discovered an appearance door installed for Henry I, leading experts to suggest that this was an important castle at that time. Invariably in the top ten for National Trust visitor numbers, it is also suggested that Enid Blyton used the castle as an inspiration for “Kirrin Island” which is portrayed as having a castle that is very similar. Nowadays it is a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Monument.

It is a delight to write about a holiday attraction that is a personal favourite, but if you can find time to visit Corfe Castle, I think that it will become a favourite of yours too.

                                National Trust Web Site With All The Gen On Corfe Castle


A visit to Corfe Castle could be one of the highlights of your holiday break if you decide to pass some time in Dorset.

Brit Breaks offers a number of splendid holiday cottages, many within easy striking distance of Corfe Castle.

Fancy spending some time in a Grade II listed seventeenth century cottage with beams, stone walls and flag stone floors. Intrigued to know more ? Then follow the link below:

                                                                Snook's Cottage, Dorset