2000 years of History in Colchester

A visit to Colchester Castle Museum takes one through 2000 years of some of the most important events in British history.

Once capital of Roman Britain, Colchester has experienced devestation by Boudica, invasion by the Normans and siege during the English Civil War.

I am certainly not attemping to go through that history here but offer some photos and snippets of information from our recent visit  not having been there since we took our children when they were young even  though it is only 45 minutes drive away

 1066 was the defeat of the English by the invading army of Duke William of Normandy. After his victory at the Battle of Hastings, William strengthened his hold on the defeated English by ordering castles to be built throughout the country.

Colchester was chosen for its port and its important military position controlling the southern access to East Anglia. In 1070 work began on Colchester Castle, the first royal stone castle to be built by William in England.

The castle was  built around the ruins of of the colossal Temple of Claudius using the Roman temple vaults as its base, parts of which can still be seen today.

Some clever and fun topiary in the garden outside

A 50 ft deep well

The Berryfield mosaic 150AD

Pots 1500 - 1000 BC

The first evidence of human beings in this country is dated to around 500,000 years ago

These were the commonest tools in use 500,000 - 40,000 years ago

On our way down to the original vaults of the Temple  on which the present castle was built

Roman Temple foundations

A replica of the Roman Temple of Claudius AD54 and we are at this moment in the area shown in the 2 central 'domes' above

The Temple was above where we are now sitting

Original door frame

17 ft thick castle walls

Seen here a bone cemented into the wall, probably an animal bone

The prisoners were not all bad!

We will be going through this gate and up a stone spiral staircase into the roof

Original flooring

Roof was used as a chapel

Among what is left on top of the roof of one of the towers

A tree growing out of the roof

Well that's the tour for today - I will leave you with a few interesting snippets

Used as a prison for 800 years

We had no written language until the Romans arrived

Britain was full of tribal Kingdoms

There were only local warriors to fight the Roman soldiers, fishermen and potters etc.

Thomas A Becket, King John, and William. 1st and 2nd came here