Framlingham Castle
If someone asks you to name ten English castles, our guess is that unless you live in Suffolk, you won’t have Framlingham on your list. Certainly we didn’t know much about it and only stumbled on it this week whilst fitting in a last minute visit to Michaela’s Mum before we head off to Greece, yet it turned out to be an interesting destination.
Like many of England’s castles, Framlingham was granted to and confiscated from the gentry in equal measure depending on whether the monarch required the support of the local barons. As it happens, this was the sum total of any conflict seen at Framlingham: its walls were otherwise never breached and its defences barely needed despite its roles in noteworthy history.
Framlingham
Framlingham itself is a pretty little town radiating away from the small market square at its heart, from where we collect some delicious Cromer crab for consumption later. Tucked away just off the square is The Check House, one of the smallest houses in the county. The castle sits just a couple of hundred yards from the market square, its boundary walls remarkably well preserved together with some beautiful old properties within those walls, though most of the interior is now lawned.
If either Henry VIII or the Magna Carta are part of the story of a building then you know you are experiencing significant English history: Framlingham lays claim to both. It was from here that Mary, daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, marched on London to reclaim the throne from Lady Jane Grey, the so called Nine Days Queen, with the support of the Duke of Norfolk, family name Howard, owner of the castle. With Edward’s Will being in conflict with that of his father, Mary needed considerable support from those in power and Suffolk and Norfolk was to be the base for that support.
Prior to this, Thomas Howard, out of favour with Henry VIII, had been awaiting execution in the Tower at the time of Henry’s death, resulting in his late reprieve. Interesting to note that two of Henry’s wives – Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard – were both nieces of the Duke.
Centuries before this, Framlingham had been owned by the immensely powerful Bigod family; Roger Bigod was an influential member of the forces behind creation of the Magna Carta.
On a more mundane level, this is also the castle which inspired the Ed Sheeran song “Castle On The Hill”; it seems Sheeran heralds from the town.
Nowadays the castle is operated by English Heritage and sits in attractive grounds with a lake and dry moat, with a walkway along the top of the castle walls affording great views of the surrounding Suffolk countryside. This small town and its historical castle provided a very interesting and enjoyable last excursion before we, hopefully, head for warmer climes.
13 Comments
wetanddustyroads
Castles are not a common sight here in South Africa (I can maybe think of two very small ones), but it seems you have them in abundance in the UK. But suddenly today, I had wonderful strolls through castles … first it was Sarah’s castle and now “your” castle and I loved them!
Oh yes, and the picture of the windmill is lovely!
Toonsarah
We’ve never been here on our several past visits to Suffolk, neither the town nor the castle. Both seem worth adding to a future visit however. The views from the castle walls are lovely and the town looks pretty. Oh, and the crab looks delicious!
grandmisadventures
What a beautiful castle to discover! And those views…wow 🙂
Andrew Petcher
I visited the castle in 2017. I wouldn’t name it in my top 10 I agree. One of my favourite TV shows was filmed in Framlington – The Detectorists.
Phil & Michaela
Don’t know the programme but it’s certainly a quaint little town
Toonsarah
I love the Detectorists – didn’t know it was filmed here however 🙂
Monkey's Tale
What a great castle, and a fascinating history to go with it. The town would have been cute on its own, but with a castle too, it’s even better.. Maggie
Lookoom
It’s an interesting part of English history, I like it! Thanks for sharing.
leightontravels
I knew this castle by name, but not so much the details, which this post does an excellent job of highlighting. It is a very pretty castle and, as you say, comes with some heavyweight history. The Magna Carta… Henry the 8th… Catherine of Aragon… Lady Jan Grey… Ed Sheeran. Hm, for just a moment I was half tempted to listen to the song. But then I came to my senses and went to make a coffee.
Phil & Michaela
Good decision. Eh Sheeran makes me wince. Like chalk on a blackboard.
Jyothi
Beautiful castle images!! Great post!
WanderingCanadians
What a charming castle. We don’t have many of these in Ontario so I’ve become a bit obsessed with wanting to visit at least one castle whenever I’m in Europe.
Phil & Michaela
You would certainly find plenty in England!