Odiham Castle
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Odiham Castle is a ruined castle situated near Odiham in Hampshire, United Kingdom.
The castle is one of only 3 to be built by King John of England and was constructed between 1207 and 1214.
In the course of an eventful history, Odiham Castle has been captured by the French (1216) and played host to both Parliament and King David II of Scotland, who was imprisoned there for a substantial time after his capture at the battle of Neville's Cross (1346). It was from either Odiham or Windsor that King John rode out to meet his barons at Runnymede, where he signed the Magna Carta.
The castle had fallen into a ruinous state by the sixteenth century and the only remains visible today are part of the octagonal keep and outlying earthworks.
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[edit] Legends
Pagan rituals are said to sometimes take place within the grounds of the castle, because of the nature and countryside that surrounds the structure, and because of the nearby Basingstoke Canal. Ghostly figures are said to wander the castle, paying no attention to observers. Strange lights have also been seen in and around the grounds, although it has been suggested these could be natural phenomena such as Will o' the wisp or Jack-o'-lantern.
[edit] Gallery
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[edit] Restoration
Major work began in 2006 to consolidate the ruins and carry out extensive work on improving the site.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ Hampshire County Council (2006). Odiham Castle. Countryside Service. Retrieved on February 6, 2007.
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