12 
accommodation for about 120 horses and 40 carriages; and the 
Private and State Apartments of the Castle. These have been 
so frequently described and are so well known, that a lengthy 
description of them is not needed, but a few of the leading 
features may be here noticed. The Castle dates from the era of 
the Norman invasion, William the Conqueror erecting a strong- 
hold on the commanding site the Castle occupies, soon after he 
assumed the sovereignty of the kingdom. The name Windsor, 
derived from Windleshora, the Saxon term for “winding banks,” 
is fairly descriptive of the site on the undulating banks overlooking 
the rich valley through which the river Thames meanders. The 
Castle was mentioned in Domesday Book in 1086, but none of 
the original Norman structure is now distinguishable, if any 
exists. The present edifice was commenced by Henry I. about 
1107, but little is known of its history till the reign of Edward III., 
1327-77, who rebuilt almost the whole of it, under the superin- 
tendence of the celebrated Bishop of Winchester, William of 
Wykeham. The Round Tower is supposed to date from this 
king’s reign, who also built St George’s Chapel, and instituted 
the Noble Order of the Garter. Many additions and improve- 
ments have been made by succeeding monarchs, especially by 
George IV., from designs by Sir Jeffrey Wyatville, and Her 
Majesty the Queen, till the Castle has assumed its present 
noble dimensions and stately grandeur, so beautifully delineated 
in the frontispiece.' It may also be mentioned that King 
John Jay here in 1215, while negotiating with the Barons 
assembled at Runnymede, a few miles off, the terms of Magna 
Charta. At the end of the 14th century the poet Chaucer 
resided in the Winchester Tower. Queen Elizabeth formed 
the terraces; and the Castle was plundered in the time of the 
Commonwealth. Grinling Gibbons, who died in 1721, was the 
carver of the numerous floral wreaths and festoons seen in 
the principal rooms; and Antonio Verrio, 1639-1707, was the 
painter of many of the richly-decorated ceilings, most of which 
are still as fresh and clear as when they left the painter’s 
brush. 
Before entering the Castle to view the apartments, the members 
of the party were each courteously presented by Mr Collmann with 
1 The Society is indebted to the kindness of Dr Maxwell T. Masters, 
Editor of the Gardeners’ Chronicle, London, for the use of the beautiful series 
of engravings which illustrate this Report. 
