Amberley Castle

By Crusader1307

Built near the Village of Amberley, West Sussex, in the 12th Century - This Manor House Castle was fortified around 1377. Amberley is a Rhomboid-shaped structure with high defensive walls. It has attached defensive Towers on each of it's corners and an attached Gateway to it's Main Hall. The land and The Manor was owned by The Bishops of Chichcester. Originally a wooden log structure in 1103, it was replaced with stone in 1140 (as was it perimeter wall attached). The Great Hall was added in 1200. Refortification of the Gatehouse was completed in 1377. At this time the walls were increased by 11 feet.

With the start of The English Civil War (1642), Oliver Cromwell ordered Amberley attacked. Much damage was done to it's walls and interior structures. Falling into disrepair, it would remain that way for many centuries after The Restoration. Staring in 1872, Amberley Castle underwent a slow restoration process (involving many different Owners). Bearing a slight resemblance to it's original state, it is currently a working Hotel.