Caister Castle facts for kids
Caister Castle is an old castle from the 1400s. It has a moat (a ditch filled with water) around it. You can find it near West Caister, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) north of Great Yarmouth. Both places are in Norfolk, England.
The castle was built between 1432 and 1446. Sir John Fastolf built it. He was a knight who inspired William Shakespeare's famous character, Falstaff. Caister Castle had a very tall tower, about 33 meters (100 feet) high.
In 1469, the castle was attacked by the Duke of Norfolk. It was badly damaged and taken over. After 1600, most of the castle became a ruin. Only the tall tower stayed standing. Today, visitors can still climb this tower.
The Paston Family and the Castle
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When Sir John Fastolf died in 1459, a detailed list was made of all his belongings at Caister Castle. This list included his silver, chapel items, clothes, and even his armor.
Sir John Fastolf wanted the castle to become a special place for prayer. But there were arguments about his will. So, the castle went to the Paston family instead. Most of Fastolf's money went to a college in Oxford.
The Paston family wrote many letters. These letters are now called the 'Paston Letters.' They are a special collection that tells us a lot about their lives. They show how the Pastons worked hard to gain and keep their position in English society. This was during a time called the Wars of the Roses.
John Paston was a close friend of Sir John Fastolf. Sir John had no children and did not leave a clear will. So, Caister Castle was one of many properties without a clear owner. John Paston believed he should inherit the castle. This led to conflicts with powerful people like the Duke of Norfolk.
In August 1469, the Duke of Norfolk attacked the castle. He wanted to claim it as his own. John Paston junior and about 30 men defended the castle for two months. But they were not successful. One of their loyal servants was killed. The Duke took control of the castle. However, the Paston family eventually got the castle back some years later.
In 1659, the Pastons sold the castle to William Crow. He was a businessman from London. You can still see his memorial in Holy Trinity Church in Caister-on-Sea.
Over time, the castle was not well cared for. Some of its stones were even taken away to be used in other buildings. For example, in 1776, a staircase with 122 stone steps was removed from the tower. The inner moat was filled in between 1842 and 1893. A lake was created by making the south-eastern side wider.
Caister Castle Motor Museum
The Caister Castle Motor Museum is located on the castle grounds. It was started in the 1960s. The museum has a private collection of old and classic cars and motorcycles.
You can also see bicycles, horse-drawn vehicles, and other old transportation items. All these exhibits are in a special building. When you visit the castle, your ticket includes entry to the museum, the castle tower, and the grounds.
