King John’s Castle - Odiham
Close to Odiham in Hampshire, England and built between 1207 & 1214 by King John it is only one of three fortresses built by the king. The site, on a bend in the river Whitewater, was probably chosen because it is about half way between the royal strongholds of Winchester and Windsor; about a day’s ride from each. Comprising a three storey octagonal keep (made largely of local flint) with a square moat it is allegedly the site from which John road to Runnymede for the signature of Magna Carta. Beseiged and captured by the French in 1216 it hosted Parliament at least once in 1303 and was the prison for David II of Scotland after his capture at Neville’s Cross in 1346.
By the 15th Century it was used only as a hunting lodge and by 1605 was described as a ruin.
Hampshire County Council webpage: https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryside/finder/odihamcastle
More info: http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/hampshire/castles/odiham.htm
253 images shot on a Mavic drone.
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