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Kenilworth Castle remained crown property until 1244 when it was given to Simon de Montfort by his father-in-law Henry III.
During the early part of the 13th century, Kenilworth was extensively upgraded by King John. An outer perimeter wall was constructed which contained fortified towers at set intervals. In conjunction with the wall and towers, a massive fortified dam was constructed which formed a shallow lake around the castle.
Kenilworth Castle remained crown property until 1244 when it was given to Simon de Montfort by his father-in-law Henry III. In 1266 the de Montfort's, opposed to the unlimited power of the monarchy, declared war on the king. Kenilworth became their headquarters and was subsequently besieged by the kings’ troops.
The castle managed to repel the opposing forces for nearly nine months due to the fact that it was surrounded by the man made lake on three sides. This meant that the castle could not be undermined and instead the army had to concentrate their attack on the castles defences. Catapults and siege engines were brought in to break and shatter their defences. The castle finally succumbed after disease and hunger had swept threw the castles ranks. During that later half of the 14th century, John of Gaunt, between 1389 and 1394 remodelled the Inner Court into a magnificent palace. King Henry V erected a pavilion at the far end of the Great Mere which he called Le Plesaunz en Marys (the pleasure house in the marsh). During the reign of Henry VIII Le Plesaunz en Marys was relocated back to the castle site, adding an extra range of lodgings in the Inner Court.
In 1563 Kenilworth came into the ownership of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, who was a great favourite of Queen Elizabeth. During his tenure, a gatehouse and a residential suite, intended specifically for the Queen was built. Elizabeth often visited the castle where she was sumptuously entertained, at great expense. After Robert’s death in 1588, Kenilworth Castle was claimed by the Crown and eventually sold for a very low price, becoming part of Queen Henrietta Maria's marriage-portion in 1626.
After the conclusion of the civil war Kenilworth Castle was partially demolished by Parliamentary troops. The castle was left to fall into ruin and the great lake that surrounded the castle was drained.
In 1958 the castle was presented to the people of Kenilworth on the 400th anniversary of the accession of Elizabeth I to the throne. English Heritage has looked after the ruins since 1984.
Tourist InformationOpening times: 1 Apr-31 May 10am-5pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun. 1 Jun-31 Aug 10am-6pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun. 1 Sep-31 Oct 10am-5pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
1 Nov-28 Feb 10am-4pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun. 1-31 Mar 10am-5pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
24-26 Dec and 1 Jan Closed Admission Prices: Adult:£5.90 Children:£3.00 Concession:£4.40 Family ticket £12.40
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Kenilworth Castle was most probably built as a “motte and bailey” castle which was later fortified towards the end of the 12th century.
