1272

ThiS shows the castle in the year of the death of henry iii, king John’s son, who turned the building into the primary royal residence after Westminster.

Unusually for a medieval monarch, henry was a devoted family man, and he spent much time here with his wife, eleanor of Provence, and his five children.

The royals enjoy lavish feasts including venison and beef — as well as peacock and even swan. Meanwhile, the townsfolk in Windsor exist on potages made mostly of peas and onions.

henry converted the Upper Ward — to the right of the picture — into his family’s private residence, and very few were allowed to enter. Dominating the lower ward is the Chapel of St george and St edward, which no longer stands, but is the predecessor of St george’s Chapel, where Prince harry and Meghan Markle are to marry next month.

elsewhere, the round Tower is inhabited by the Constable, and is the location for a key part of the royal inventory — the wine cellar. Windsor itself is still not large. a lack of agricultural land means that the site is unsustainable for a big population.

locals work on small farms nearby, as boatmen or as labourers in the castle. Other trades include carpentry, tanning, and leatherwork.