Castle Quest - Reply to Topic

Forum:	Castles In General & Medieval History
Topic:	Hi, here's a castle and a question.

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T O P I C R E V I E W
Isidore Hi everyone. Following the guidlines (wink) I'm 26. I'm on here researching for an imaginary castle I've currently got purely in my head. I actually work in a castle (Colchester) which is norman, but I'm interested in the internal structure and layout of castles, not just norman but in general. (My own castle is a bit mangled, poor thing) Are there any particular traits which tend to be common to all interiors? Yes, I am now going to go off and research this question on your lovely site, so sorry if my answer is already there, and also sorry if I've posted on the wrong bit - this appeared to be the most general. I'll be back if you have any questions on my castle - its the biggest norman keep bar none, in case you were interested.
[This message has been edited by Isidore (edited 07-20-2001).]
Gordon What a lucky person to have such a working environment. I'm envious.
There is no real answer to your question. castles vary hugely, as do the features which may appear in them. Any particular castle will have a selection of features which are associated with castles, and which will appear on other sites, however there is no single castle feature which appears in all sites, other than it's defensive design and the ability to provide a residence for it's lord, or his constable.
If you choose any feature particular to castles, it is as easy to name a site which did not have it, as to name one which did.
This is why providing a definition of 'castle' acceptable to all can prove to be so difficult.
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'Demeure par la verite'
Visit; Gordon's Scottish Castles Resource Page
AJR Isidore, I recently came across in a second-hand bookshop a booklet by Duncan W. Clark FRIBA. entitled Colchester Castle published by The Museum Committee of the Colchester Town Council in 1948. It has some great pictures of the hall before it was covered over and repaired. I've never been to Colchester, but after reading this book I intend to visit at the next opportunity.
Peter There is also a series of old postcards which show the state of the Castle before it was roofed
Interesting to see the thickness of the walls and the old layout.
AJR Yes, I have a couple, issued by "The Corporation of Colchester".
Lili Hi Isidore and welcome,
It's been my dream for a long time to do some kind of work in a castle (short term or long term) so I'd love to know what sort of things you do if I'm not prying too much. Love to know what kind of work is out there to give me ideas.
Isidore This is mainly to Lilli as she asked, but thank you everyone who replied. My castle is a museum, which is how I am employed. My post originally would have been purely as a security guard, but by the time I started working there it was very different. I do patrol around, work in the shop on the tills, but I also do tours for schoolchildren (lots of these!) both norman and roman tours, help with the education program in different ways, also am kitting out new shop for other museum and do shop in castle. And most days, at the beginning and end of the day I go up both the spiral staircases into the towers and lock and unlock them. And thats sometimes the best bit, when I've got the castle all to myself! The great stairs are huge for a spiral staircase, and if I had a scanner I'd show them to you.
If anyone's thinking of visiting, I'd definately recommend it - although if you're going purely for the castle you may be disappointed, as a lot of the interior is obscured by the museum cases etc. the collections are excellent, and we are designated, which means that we're one of the fifty best museums in England (possiblity Great Britain, I forget) The history of the site is v interesting, as its built on the foundations of a roman temple that was dedicated to Claudius, built in what was then the first capital of Britain, Camulodunum or Colonia Claudia, as the romans called it. Oh dear, I've gone into tour mode! But its fun, anyhow. This is not the only castle thats used in this way, as you probably know, so there's a definate possibility of you getting work in one. A lot of museums want extra help during the summer, for instance.
Lili Thanks Isidore, you've made my day.
Looks like there is at least a slight possibility of achieving my dream...
Would you know if I'd be best to write to individual castles or is there an organisation I can write to? I'm from Australia so I'd have to organise this in advance. Thanks heaps for describing what you do - sounds great.
Isidore Hi Lili. Sorry it's taken a while to get back to you. I'm afraid there'll be no easy way to get such a job, they are sought after, as you can imagine. Some castles are owned privately or by local councils, but a lot of historical sites are owned in England by English Heritage, and while I don't know their contact number, it shouldn't be too hard to contact them as they are a large organisation.