Chester Castle: Agricola Tower and Castle Walls
Chester Castle is in the city of Chester, Cheshire, England. It is sited at the southwest extremity of the area bounded by the city walls. The castle stands on an eminence overlooking the River Dee. In the castle complex are the remaining parts of the medieval castle together with the neoclassical buildings designed by Thomas Harrison which were built between 1788 and 1813
Chester Castle was founded by William the Conqueror in 1070 and became the administrative centre of the earldom of Chester. The first earth and timber ¡motte-and-bailey¢ castle probably only occupied the area of the inner bailey. In the 12th century it was rebuilt in stone and the outer bailey added.
In 1237 the last earl died and the castle, with the earldom, was taken over by the king. In 1265, during the Barons¢ War, it was held for ten weeks by supporters of Simon de Montfort against the men of Prince Edward, son of Henry III.
During the reigns of Henry III and Edward I the castle served as the military headquarters for the conquest of Wales and much building was carried out, especially in the outer bailey. In the later medieval period the monarch rarely stayed at the castle, but it continued to serve as the centre for county administration.
During the Civil War (1642?6) it was the headquarters of the Royalist governor, John, Lord Byron. Subsequently a permanent garrison was stationed there, and between 1788 and 1813 the outer bailey was completely rebuilt in the neoclassical style. The buildings still serve as the county hall, courts and regimental museum, but the military finally withdrew in 1999.
The 12th-century Agricola Tower was the first stone gateway to Chester Castle, which had been founded by William the Conqueror in 1070 in the south-west part of the city. On the first floor is the chapel of St Mary de Castro, which contains some exceptionally fine wall paintings from about 1240. By climbing the nearby stairs to the wall-walk, you can appreciate the castle’s position within the city.
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