A castle's history is nothing without the inhabitants. If the walls could talk, they would undoubtedly speak of the treachery and bloodshed that had taken place inside the Castle. Here are just a few of the many colourful characters that we know had some involvement with the Castle:

Edward the Martyr

© NTPL / Peter Muhly

Legend has it that Corfe was the scene of Edward the Martyr's murder in 978. The teenage king is said to have been on a hunting trip in Purbeck, when he was set upon and stabbed. The order for his death supposedly came from Elfryda, his wicked step-mother, so that her son Ethelred could succeed to the throne.

King John

© NTPL / Matthew Antrobus

King John built on Corfe Castle's formidable reputation during his reign - as he used the Castle as a royal treasury. Treasure wasn't the only thing the wayward king kept there though. He also used the Castle to imprison his niece, Princess Eleanor (the Fair Maid of Brittany). John spent much time and money improving the Castle's defences.

Edward I

© NTPL / Matthew Antrobus

During his reign, Edward I re-modelled the Castle's Outer Gatehouse. He made it two storeys high with ramparts above, three sets of arrow-slits, a drawbridge, a murderhole, a portcullis, another murderhole, a thick oak gate and drawbar, extra guards and even added another portcullis! By the end of the refit, the Castle was absolutely impregnable. In Edward I's reign the Constable of Corfe Castle was the fourth highest paid Constable in England, highlighting the Castle's importance in the medieval period.

Elizabeth I and Sir Christopher Hatton

© NTPL / Richard Pink

By 1572 the Castle had become a country house rather than a fortress. Elizabeth I sold the Castle to her friend and Chancellor, Sir Christopher Hatton, thereby ending its 500 years as a royal home.

The Bankes family

© NTPL / Derrick E Witty

During the 17th century, the Castle was home to the Bankes family, who were staunch Royalists. Following the outbreak of the Civil War, the Castle was attacked by Parliamentarians. With Sir John away from the Castle, defending the home fell to Lady Bankes and her family, 80 defenders, a cannon and some loyal servants. They successfully held the Castle. Two years later however, during a second siege, Lady Bankes was betrayed by one of her garrison, Col. Pitman. Lady Bankes survived the siege and moved to her family home in Middlesex. She died there 1667.