A Tori Story

HISTORY COURSEWORK (884 words)

Warwick castle; is it important locally or nationally in the 17th century?
04/06/15 Beth Gittins

This answer is to clarify the importance or unimportance of Warwick castle locally and nationally in the 17th century through general knowledge and the sources provided also with the sources found online during research on the topic of Warwick castle. This answer also uses the primary source of Warwick castle itself in affect of our class trip to Warwick castle.

Warwick castle was important locally due to its 'amazing defence system' in addition to the 'high range of Warriors' in the castle as quoted by primaryfacts.com/1010/warwick-castle-facts/. This was important due to it defending Warwick singularly and protecting its citizens throughout the earlier 17th century.
Warwick castle was not as important locally because of its defence system falling due to bad conditions in the building and the Warriors in the castle being given bad sanitary conditions to live in and their work being dangerous due to the steep and small steps up the towers and the flooring being poor. This made the information unimportant due to it not defending Warwick's soldiers from the war itself nor from disease or poor building throughout the earlier 17th century.
The early castle was built in 1068 by the Normans following William the Conquerors victory in the Battle of Hastings. This was important as a long term impact locally because it could defend its county and attack easily on others for many years on, as other parts and buildings also were added to the castle making it almost indestructible; information found here https://www.warwick-castle.com/explore/towers-and-ramparts.aspx.
In the 1480s Richard III ordered two gun towers to be added to the castle so that any approaching enemies could be slaughtered before they reached the castle. This gave positive long term impact locally as well as they could see any enemies for miles so this made their defence system twice as good also meaning their protection over Warwick was twice as good as before.
However when Richard III ordered the gun towers to be added to the castle, the towers were dangerous and steep as we all noticed on the trip to Warwick castle. This meant that even if they noticed any approaching enemies they could fall down the steps from the poor building before protecting the castle itself.
When the castle eventually became an old and rotten house the castle was rebuilt and constructed to be once again protecting and sheltering showing great importance. For example, during 1642 during the first English civil war, Royalist forces laid siege to Warwick castle. They soon lost their battle though when yet again the castles fantastic defence system saved those inside.
After the long term impact and importance of the castle had ended its rein the castle was passed to Sir Fulke Greville in 1604 by James I to convert the property into a magnificent country house. As said in source 1 he thought of the castle as 'a ruinous condition, having been used for some time as a county goal.' Also the castle is described is shown as having 'revealed considerable decay and neglect'. As quoted here https://www.warwick-castle.com/explore/history-and-restoration.aspx.
Another reason why Warwick castle was important locally in the 17th century was due to the prisons inside the castle. This protected Warwick of dangerous criminals that roamed the county and saved the citizens from chaos however it also put them in danger as the prisoners were kept so close to the villages and could potentially harm the people of Warwick.

Warwick Castle showed national importance during the civil war meaning the castle had to act to defend and protect its entire country rather than just Warwick which meant more work for the soldiers whom weren't given long to rest. In addition to this it eventually had resulted in the destruction of the castle and it's poorly built structure. But the castle still had its 'amazing defence system' improved during the 17th century and was used again in the civil war to protect all of England with its 'high range of Warriors' in the castle where they were homed and trained daily. This was important due to it defending all of England nationally and protecting its citizens throughout the later 17th century. Although after this the castle decayed and crumbled with broken walls over the time of the civil war due to poor maintenance. This made the importance to the nation poor due to it defending all of England nationally before its break down after protecting its citizens in the later 17th century but once it's job was done it showed little importance.
Warwick castle was important nationally due to its defence system in addition to the Warriors in the castle by defending England in the earlier 17th century. This also might not have been important though due to England being a big country with only one castle to defend it. This would've been difficult for one king so endure therefore he may not have been able to deal with the issues of the 17th century England.
When the two gun towers were added to the castle it helped nationally by being able to defend the locals and therefore see other troops nearby and where they are heading.

In conclusion this answer was to clarify the importance or unimportance of Warwick castle locally and nationally in the 17th century through general knowledge and the sources provided also with the sources found online during research on the topic of Warwick castle. Information was also used from our class viewing of the castle during a school trip. In result of writing this answer I conclude that Warwick castle was locally and nationally important for many reasons during the 17th century in addition to the evidence against this it still shows clear evidence that Warwick castle was important.

Bethany Gittins