This was the last outing for the year and what a lovely day it was. The weather was kind to us. When we arrived at Orford Castle, I looked up at this magnificent building, the sun reflected its significance set within the Suffolk landscape. Orford Castle was built in the 12th century by Henry II to assist in diminishing the power of the East Anglian barons like Hugh Bigod of nearby Framlingham Castle. The keep is all that survives, its hall and rooms hold a wealth of history. The castle remained in royal control until 1330. With the outer walls demolished the castle passed through several families, in 1928 Sir Arthur Churchman gave the castle to Orford Town Trust. In 1962 it passed to the Ministry of Works, which in 1984 became English Heritage and who have recently lovingly restored Orford Castle Keep. St Bartholomew’s is an interesting medieval church nearby, with its own stories to tell and is well worth a visit.
Around 1100, Richard Malet, a nobleman and landowner, founded the town of Orford with a natural sheltered harbour. It flourished as a port until the late 1500s when it began to silt up and the town shrank. Today it is a quiet village, a place to reflect on the busy lives we lead. It was soon time to leave and travel onwards to Framlingham Castle.
Framlingham Castle was built in the 12th century by the Bigod’s who were a powerful Norman family. The first stone building was probably the work of Hugh Bigod in 1177. It was his successor Roger Bigod who is responsible for the castle with its vast outer walls which we see today. It never ceases to amaze me how these huge structures built so long ago still standing, still telling their stories of the families who lived there. Framlingham was the home of the Earls and Dukes of Norfolk for 400 years. In 1552 it passed to Catholic Mary Tudor, eldest daughter of Henry VIII. Young Edward VI had named Protestant Lady Jane Grey as his successor, when Edward died in 1553, Mary fled to Framlingham where she later received the news that she was to be proclaimed queen. In 1635 instructions had been given on the death of Sir Robert Hitcham, owner of the castle at this time, that a poor house be built, in 1729 a workhouse was built both within the grounds of the castle. In 1913 Sir Robert Hitcham, of old Pembroke College Cambridge, placed the castle in the care of the Ministry of Works, and again English Heritage now manage the castle.