Kingmakers

Saturday, October 10 We set off on our first big adventure--2 nights at RAF Fairford. On our way there, we stopped first at Warwick Castle. This place has seen lots of action: William I (the Conquerer) ordered the first castle built in the spot in 1068. There has been an Earl of Warwick here ever since 1088, supervising the trial of Joan of Arc in 1431, imprisoning Kings and being visited by Kings and Queens, and most famously, being the home of Richard Neville--Earl of Warwick and "Kingmaker." He was a big player in the Wars of the Roses, when the houses of Lancaster and York were fighting for the right to the throne. He supported both Edward IV and Henry VI at different times helping them each reign in turn, earning the title Kingmaker before being killed in battle. This was an impressive castle, with lots of walls and towers to walk and climb, providing incredible views of the surrounding countryside. We even got to go down in to the "gaol" and see the cage, hole, and chains were prisoners were kept in almost total darkness, etching days and epitaphs into the walls to mark their time there. We also saw a falconry display, which was amazing. Did you know that falconers were considered the social equal of the King and that their birds were the only animals allowed in church? Of course, this is all per the falconer, but he seemed reliable! Warwick is also the sight of the largest working siege engines--the trebuchet, which we got to see fired. After some time on the playground, we were off to our next stop.