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Chapter 9 - Whitlow Castle

Whitlow Castle was the most famous castle of Turon. It had the same splendour and majesty than The Great Palace, and other of the King many residences around the country. It was there where the King and the Queen lived after their marriage, before moving to the New Palace in North-Bell.

The castle was situated in Whitlow, a town 125 km southeast of Dawfill, the Capital of Turon.

It had a much lighter, airy feel than other royal castles. The stairs were very broad, winding up through a wide, well-lit corridor.

The abundance of very intricate woodwork in ceilings, furniture, and especially panelling, was abdolutely impresive.

Each space had its own style, refined decoration, and furniture with rich upholstery. There was a room decorated with dozens of angels.

Like other castles, Whitlow castle had a private chapel inside it with lofty, painted ceilings, displaying fifteen medieval painted panels that were considered the castle's most valuable and significant feature.

The altar was situated in one of the spaces on the first floor. There was a true knights hall above that space.

To reach the knights hall, they needed to take marble steps, made in the rock.

Along with bright spaces decorated with gold and silk, there was also a big cellar, guarding enormous treasures coffers, no one had access to that room, except the King.

The Great Hall where full banquets were held for the visitors, was very spacious, elegant and sophisticated, with many rooms for hosting guests.

The castle was built on a low, rocky hill, by wood and stone walls. It consisted of a perimeter ditch and defensive walls of an oval shape, crowned with a breastwork with a battlement. A residential building was attached to the inner face of the wall on the east side.

The water was provided by a cistern connected through a travertine cave underneath of the courtyards, with a nearby lake. It contained a natural water pool, very convenient for the castle.

The stronghold was extended by another, outer ring of defensive walls, surrounding the entire upper castle and separating the surrounding belt of the outer bailey. The towers were located in the corners. Among them was a four-sided south tower housing the gate passage, and the other on the eastern side, also four-sided, was facing the settlement. The next ones were located on the north and north-west sides. Those towers reached heights of between 30 and 40 metres (98 and 131 ft). They were fortified with strong exterior walls. Its fabled halls and sky-high towers revealed the triumphs of its ruler, the King.

Whitlow Castle was surrounded by the castle park featuring numerous and rare species of interesting trees, and animals.

The castle possessed a certain magic that drawn the eyes of many. The soaring structures and bountiful gardens of royal dwellings were absolutely enchanting.