There is quite a lot to see and imagine when it comes to Kenilworth Castle. While it's mostly ruins, parts are partially intact or have been recreated. The ruins are just beautiful; it's not hard to imagine the splendor and the grandiosity that was once Kenilworth Castle.
Like most places, Kenilworth has seen its ups and down, changed ownerships, it has an interesting history. Work began on Kenilworth Castle around the 1120s by Geoffrey de Clinton. Henry II took the castle around 1170s in order to stop his rebellious sons and acquired it outright in the 1180s. Under King Henry IV, the castle became a Crown estate and remained so for the 150 years. Lancaster Kings as well as the Tudor kings visited the estate and added their own to it's history.
Kenilworth saw its share of political changes and war, but it also saw its share of scandal. In 1563, Elizabeth I granted Kenilworth Castle to Robert Dudley. It is rumored that Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley, a childhood friend, were lovers. Her visits to Kenilworth were longer than at any other estate she visited. Dudley even had a whole tower for the Queen's personal use when she visited, Leicester's Tower. It is even rumored that Robert Dudley has his sick wife killed in order to marry the queen, but due to nobles outrage and threats to rise against the Crown, they never married. Robert Dudley did eventually remarry, and it is said the Queen was overly upset and treated his new wife poorly. When Queen Elizabeth passed, a letter was found to her from Dudley, "his last letter".
We didn't stay but a short while; however, I really enjoyed Kenilworth Castle. We were given some hands on experience on armory and everyday life in Medieval times. We got to hold a 15lb cannon ball, try on some armor, and see an early concept of a watering can; very interesting and entertaining! The gardens were beautiful and the ruins fun to explore. Also, nearby is Warwick Castle; another steeped in history and scandal!
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