ALTE DOCUMENTE
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CASTLE
NERINGA STATKEVICIUTE
Winsor Castle is one of the official recidences of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen is Head of State of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and also Head of the Commonwealth.
The monarch's direct powers these days are limited: as a constitutional sove 212w2218c reign The Queen normally acts on the advice of her ministers; nevertheless the government, the judges and the armed services all act in The Queen's name and she is an important symbol of national unity. She is kept closely informed about all aspects of national life and the Prime Minister has a weekly audience with her. The Queen has certain residual 'prerogative' powers which include the appointment of the Prime Minister and granting the dissolution of Parliament.
As well as being Head of the Commonwealth, The Queen is Head of State of sixteen of its fifty - four member countries.
Many of The Queen's duties are ceremonial and reminder of the United Kingdom's long history. They include the State Opening of Parliament, The Queen's Birthday Parade, state visits and the Garter Day celebrations.
The Queen is officialy in residence at Windsor twise a year: in April and also in June, when annual Garter Service is held in St George's Chapel with the installation of new Knights. The Castle is used alternately with Buckingham Palace for ceremonial visits from Heads of State of other countries. The Queen and her family also spend most of their private weekends at the Castle.
Windsor Casstle is one of the major repositories of the Royal Collection, where incomparable works of art are dis played in the historic setting for which they were collected or commissioned by successive monarchs. Because of the status of the building as working royal palace, objects are sometimes moved. Pictures and works of the art are also frequently lent to exhibitions all over the world, so the arrangement may vary from time to time.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CASTLE
The existing vast structure ha sevoled over many centuries from its origin as a Norman fortress. Windsor Castle is the oldest royal residence to have remained in continuous use by the monarchs of Britain and is in many ways an architectural epitome of the history of the nation. The Castle covers an area of about 5 hectares (13 acres) and contains , as well as a royal palace, a magnificent collegiate church and the homes or workplaces of a large number of people, including the Constable and Governor of the Castle, thev Military Knights of Windsor and the Dean and Canons of St George's Chapel.
The area covered by the Castle is approximately 5.26 hectares (113 acres). The top of the Round Tower is 65.5 m (215 feet) above the level of the River Thames, and 85.3 m (280 feet ) above sea level.
The earliest part of the structure is the artificial earthen mound in the middle which was raised c.1080 by William the Conqueror. It supports the Round Towel built by Henry II, who adapted a purely defensive fortification as a residence by building the first royal apartments on the north side of the Upper Ward. The Upper Ward was converted into a huge Gothic palace by a succession of medieval kings, notably Edward III in the fourteen century. He also founded the Order of the Garter and associated College of St Goerge in the Lower Ward. Edward IV built the present St Chapel in the fifteenth century. Charles II reconstructed the State Apartments in Baroque taste in the 1670s, and the whole of the Upper Ward was reconstructed to its present picturesque Gothic apperance and the Round Tower heightened by George IV in the 1820s. he was also responsible for acquiring much of the magnificent art collection which now fills the rooms of the Castle. Following a serious fire in 1992, a new roof was designed for St George's Hall, and the adjoining Lantern Lobby and the Private Chapel were rebuilt in modern Gothic style.
THE PRIVATE CHAPEL
Designed by Giles Downes of the Sidell Gibson Partnership as part of the restoration of the Castle following the 1992 fire, this is the private chapel of the Royal Family. Its intimate proportions give it something of the character of a little medieval chantry chapel. The altar apse neatly interlocks into the angle of the Lantern Lobby, and accommodates a new altar table by David Linley, while the stained glass window opposite, by Joseph Nuttgens, commemorates the fire of 1992 and subsequent restoration. The altarpiece is by Berto di Giovanni, a Perugian contemporary of Raphael, aand was purchased by Queen Victoria in 1853. The Gothic chairs were designed for the Castle by the 15 - year - old A.W.N. Pugin in 1827.
THE GRAND VESTIBULE
The lantern and vaulting date from George III's reign. The arms and relics include the bullet that killed Nelson, and a gold tiger from the throne of Tipu, Sultan of Mysore.
THE ANTE THRONE ROOM
This was Charles II's Audience Chamber, and in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries it contained the King's chair of state. It was much reduced in size by Sir Jeffry Wyatville, as part of George IV's alterations.
THE KING'S DRAWING ROOM
There is a splendid view over Eton from Wyatville's bay window. George IV's body lay in state in this room after his death. The paintings by Rubens include the distinguished Holy Family with St Francis (over the fireplace) and two landscapes.
THE KING'S BED CHAMBER
In the nineteenth century this was used by visiting monarchs on state visits. The bed bears the embroided initials of Napaleon III and Empress Eugenie. The marble fireplace was brought from Buckingham House. The paintings include several Canalettos purchased by George III and two full - length gainsborough portraits.
THE KING'S DRESSING ROOM
King Charles II slept here rather than in his state bedroom next door. The portraits include several masterpieces: Van Dyck's Triple Portrait of Charles I, Rembrandt's 'The Artist's Mother' and Rubens' Self Portait.
THE KING'S CLOSET
The English eighteenth - century portraits include a splendid late Reynolds full length of the 2nd Earl of Moira, and David Garrick with his Wife by Hogarth.
THE QUEEN'S DRAWING ROOM
The Queen's state rooms adjoined the King's. Holbein's portrait of Sir Henry Guildford displayed here is among the artist's finest works. The gilt bronze chandelier was commissioned by George IV for the Castle.
THE KING'S DINING ROOM
Charles II dined in public in this room. Verrio's ceiling is one of only three to survive out of the thirteen he painted for the Castle. The room is also decorated with Grinling Gibbons carvings.
THE QUEEN'S BALLROOM
The silver furniture, along the window side, is a very rare survival of seventeenth - century royal taste. The portraits by Van Dyck include Charles I's children.
THE QUEEN'S AUDIENCE CHAMBER
The Baroque decoration survives from Charles II's time. The Verrio ceiling depicts his wife, Catherine of Braganza, in a triumphal chariot.
THE QUEEN'S PRESENCE CHAMBER
Verrio's ceiling is his finest at Windsor and shows Catherine of Braganza seated in the centre. There are Grinling Gibbons carvings over the fireplace. The Gobelins tapestries are woven with Biblical scenes from the History of Esther.
THE QUEEN'S GUARD CHAMBER
The French flags over the busts of Marlborough and Wellington are presented each year by the present Dukes as 'rent' for their estates. The elaborate ivory throne was a present to Queen Victoria from the Maharajah of Travancore.
ST GEORGE'S HALL
This occupies the site of Edward III's original Hall. The arms of all the Knights of all the Garter decorate the ceiling. The roof is a new oak hammerbeam roof replacing Wyatville's, burnt in 1992. The Queen gives State Banquets in this room.
THE LANTERN LOBBY
This modern Gothic room replaces the Private Chapel gutted by fire in 1992. Part of the Victorian reredos survives as a memorial. It was inspired by the Octagon at Ely and the new rib vault is of laminated oak. The display of silver gilt plate includes special commissions of George IV.
THE GREEN DRAWING ROOM
This room is used by the Queen for official entertaining, and is one of a series of superbly decorated and furnished rooms created for George IV. The Axminster carpet was shown at the Great Exhibition in 1851.
THE CRIMSON DRAWING ROOM
This is The Queen's principal drawing room at Windsor. From the bay window there is a good view over the private East terrace Garden. The furniture was acquired by George IV. The marble fireplace carved ang gilt doors come from London residence at Carlton House.
THE STATE DINING ROOM
Like the drawing rooms, this is used by The Queen for official entertaining. Wyatville's Gothic design has been restored following the 1992 fire which gutted the room. The sideboards were designed by the 15 - year - old A.W.N. Pugin.
THE GARTER THRONE ROOM
In this room new Knights and Ladies of the Garter are invested with the insignia of the Order by The Queen. The room was remodelled by Wyatville for William IV.
THE WATERLOO CHAMBER
This, the largest room at Windsor, celebrates the victory of the Allies in 1815. The portraits by Sir Thomas Lawrence include the Duke of Wellington and the other commanders, monarchs and statesmen who contributed to Napaleon's defeat. The Queen holds an annual luncheon here for the Gatrer Knights and Ladies.
Literature:
'The Royal Collection' - 1997, London.
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