CAISTER CASTLE

Norfolk

Caister, although not a vast amount remains, is one of Norfolk's star Castles.  It was built by Sir John Fastolf between 1432 and 1446. Fastolf was a veteran of the Hundred Years War and he built his Castle with comfort in mind as much as defence when he retired.  Sir John has become infamous as the model for William Shakespeare's Falstaff.

When Sir John died in 1459 the Castle passed to the Paston family.  Unfortunately the Duke of Norfolk had desires on the Castle and, having failed to gain it by legal action, laid siege to the Castle in 1469.  The Castle, which after all was only half-heartedly defensible, managed to hold out for a respectable few weeks before the Pastons were forced out.  The Duke died not long afterwards and the Pastons got their Castle back again, eventually abandoning it in 1599 whereafter it began its slow decay.

The tower is still climbable and is the highlight of a visit.  The Castle and a small motor museum are open to the public during the summer months.

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2018