Bodiam Castle Verified listing

Set in the heart of an historic landscape, with spiral staircases, battlements and a portcullis, 14th century Bodiam Castle is one of Britain's most picturesque and romantic ancient monuments.

Windows where arrows were once loosed, a tower that was once a look-out and ruins that were once walked upon by knights; this is a place where you can relive your childhood memories and let your imagination run riot.

A wide moat encircles the seemingly untouched Medieval exterior. In the impressive gatehouse is the castle's original wooden portcullis, an extremely rare example of its kind. In the courtyard, enough of the interior ruins survive to give an impression of castle life.

Civil unrest and wars
Bodiam Castle was built around 1385 by Sir Edward Dallingridge and his wife Elizabeth. They lived in a turbulent age, with protests and social upheaval caused by the Black Death and royal disputes that led to the Wars of the Roses.

Becoming a knight
During the second half of the 14th century England was at war with France, and his military career brought Sir Edward prestige and wealth. He was a soldier of fortune in north-western France from 1367, Knight of the Shire of Sussex after 1379 and Warden of London in 1392, a promotion made by King Richard II. As a servant of the king, Dallingridge reached the highest circles of English society.