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The
Lands of Amberley were given by the Saxon King Caedwalla to St.
Wilfred 1st Bishop of Selsey in 682 AD; it was Wilfred who bought
Christianity to the area and converted the King. The original manor
house and the village church were built around 1100 by Bishop Luffa
of Chichester.
Around the mid 14th century Bishop Reede was granted the 'Licence
to Crenellate' by King Richard II - this allowed the great curtain
wall and massive gatehouse to be constructed, which has since dominated
the landscape and provides the dramatic south facing elevation.
Bishop Reede placed an enduring stamp of character on the castle
and many of his 'Home Improvements' are still visible today.
'We
stayed at your lovely hotel in mid-November. Everything was
perfect! The combination of excellent service, delicious food,
luxurious historical accommodations and convenient location
are a winning combination.
You even took the time, effort and expense to send on an inexpensive
item we had left behind… just another example of the level of
service you offer guests. Other hotels should take lessons from
you. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.’
Guest comment |
Bishop Sherborne was the last bishop to reside whilst the 'See of
Chichester' possessed the castle and he was responsible for dividing
the dining hall into two floors, thus creating the splendid Queens
Room with its barrel vaulted ceiling and graceful lancet windows.
At the end of the 16th century the lease was held by Queen Elizabeth
I and continued to be held by the Crown until 1749 when James Butler
purchased the castle for £3,341.14s.4d.
During this time the castle was caught up in the drama and violence
of the civil war and sheltered King Charles II when he stayed there
on route to Shoreham and thence France, after the Battle of Worcester.
It was after another of his visits that the Queens Room murals were
commissioned.
The 15th Duke of Norfolk purchased Amberley in 1893 and began restoring
the battlements. The castle continued to be privately owned and
protected from the public eye until 1989 with the various owners
improving and altering its style and architecture.
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