Orford Castle

So in a vain attempt to catch up on my blogging I'm starting back where I left off... in March.  Ooops.  I briefly considered just starting again with our recent trip to Paris Disney (so much fun), but being the chronological person I am I just couldn't go out of order.  (This would be why I am three years behind in scrapbooking as well...) 

This is Orford Castle.  And yes, we visited it in March.  But it was great weather, and this was one of my favorite family days out, and probably my favorite castle so far.  It's just so cool looking!

Orford castle was built in 1165 by King Henry II because one of his rivals, the Earl of Norfolk, was getting too powerful in the region.  (He owned Framlingham Castle - which we have also visited.)  So Henry wanted to make a statement.  And quite a statement it was.  Orford cost about 1400 pounds to build, a huge sum of money at the time!  It is three stories tall, with a large hall in the center of each floor.  Smaller bedrooms and chambers surrounded the halls.

Here are the boys on the steps, about to go inside.

This is the huge fireplace in the downstairs hall.  

Here are the boys sitting on the ahem... royal throne.  Orford was one of the first castles to feature privys attached to the important rooms... including the king's chamber.  A royal suite!

Sitting on top of the castle, enjoying a rarity... sunshine!

After leaving the castle we just played around in the surrounding grassy area.  The boys had fun rolling down the hill (mommy and daddy rolled down the hill too... but those pictures are pretty scary... and should be kept from public view!)

What sweet boys!