The Royal Apartments
In a prolonged and expensive building campaign, King Henry III transformed Ludgershall into a lavish residence.
Henry III, who inherited the castle from his father King John, was an enthusiastic builder and evidently fond of Ludgershall. He visited at least 21 times, and made many additions and improvements to the castle between 1234 and 1251.
The main feature of Henry's building works was a new great hall, built in 1244, the foundations of which still survive. This elaborately decorated hall was the public meeting area of the castle, and was used by the king for dining and entertaining.
Henry also extended and improved the castle's royal apartments, the foundations of which still survive. These were excavated in the 1960s and 1970s and contained the king's and queen's chambers, and at least two chapels. In 1251, Henry built a new great chamber for his son Edward, 'with two fireplaces and two privy chambers'.
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