Background Information

A vast medieval fortress which became anElizabethan palace, Kenilworth Castle is one of Britain's largest and most impressive historic sites. Extensive recent developments highlight its famous associations with Queen Elizabeth I and her favourite, Robert Dudley, including the recreation of the garden which was designed to astound visitors, including Elizabeth I at a time when Dudley still hoped to marry her.

Spanning more than five centuries, Kenilworth's varied buildings and architectural styles reflect its long connection with successive English monarchs. Geoffrey de Clinton, Henry I's treasurer, began the massive Norman keep at the core of the fortress in the 1120s, and under Henry II Kenilworth became a royal castle. King John greatly strengthened it between 1210 and 1215, enlarging the surrounding watery 'mere' which effectively made it an island stronghold. Thus it could withstand an epic siege in 1266, when rebellious barons held out against Henry III's siege engines for six months, succumbing only to starvation. In the impressively-timbered Tudor stables, which now house the castle's tearoom, trebuchet balls from the siege can be seen in the fascinating interactive display on the castle's history.

During the late 14th century John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, rebuilt the splendid great hall and staterooms of Kenilworth's inner court, beginning the castle's transition into a palace and favourite residence of the Lancastrian and early Tudor kings. Here Henry V received the insulting French 'gift' of tennis-balls which sparked off the Agincourt campaign, and by Henry VIII's time the castle was already renowned for its 'many fair chambers.' The scene was set for Kenilworth's greatest period of fame.

This began when Queen Elizabeth's favourite and would- be husband, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, took possession of the castle in 1563. He then lavished fortunes on converting it into a great 'prodigy house', designed to receive the Queen and her court on their ceremonial 'progresses' about the realm. Striking evidence of Dudley's transformation can still be seen everywhere at Kenilworth.Not content with remodelling its existing structures, he added the tall, mansion-sized 'Leicester's Building' - complete with a 'dancing chamber' on its top floor - specifically for the Queen's use: as well as an imposing new entrance to his quasi-royal palace, 'Leicester's Gatehouse'.

As part of a multi-million pound English Heritage investment in Kenilworth Castle, Leicester's Gatehouse - long closed to the public - is now displayed fully restored. Chambers on its lower floors have been recreated as they might have appeared when the gatehouse was last inhabited in the 1930s, while the top floor houses 'The Queen and the Castle: Robert Dudley's Kenilworth'. Featuring items both from museums and private collections, this exhibition tells the story of Elizabeth I's relationship with Dudley, and her four visits to Kenilworth.

On the last and most famous of these visits, in July 1575, Elizabeth stayed here for 19 days - her longest sojourn in a courtier's house during any of her progresses. Dudley not only entertained her lavishly throughout with music, dancing, hunting and plays: he also created specially for her visit a fabulous garden, whose re- creation is English Heritage's latest contribution to Kenilworth's long history.

Though largely unscathed during the Civil War, Kenilworth was afterwards rendered indefensible, and gradually fell into dilapidation.Made famous by Walter Scott's romantic novel, 'Kenilworth' (1821), it came into state guardianship in 1938.