Framlingham, Suffolk Giclée Travel Poster

Premium Giclée travel poster of Framlingham Castle in Framlingham, Suffolk. Framlingham Castle is unusual in that it features an impressive curtain wall with no less than thirteen towers, but no central keep - which would normally be the centrepiece of a medieval castle. Each of these thirteen towers is topped by a unique Tudor chimney. Currently run by English Heritage, Framlingham Castle is one of Suffolk's most popular destinations for a day out, and was the inspiration for Ed Sheeran's hit song Castle on the Hill (2017).

A castle was first built on the site sometime in the 12th century (1148, at the very latest), but this original structure was torn down by King Henry II after the owner, Hugh Bigod, the 1st Earl of Norfolk, rebelled against his rule in 1173/74. The castle was rebuilt in its present form in time for the First Barons' War (1215-17), when it was captured by King John. Centuries later, it was the birthplace and seat of Margaret Brotherton, the first woman to be a duchess in her own right. In 1553, Mary Tudor gathered her forces at Framlingham Castle ahead of a potential civil war; her opponents backed down, and she became England's first Queen Regnant.

Over the centuries, luxury rather than warfare became the focus of Framlingham's owners (including the Bigods, Howards, and de Veres). The towers were topped with ornate chimneys, two meres were landscaped into the surroundings, and the inner buildings were lavishly decorated. Moving into the modern period, Framlingham Castle was variously a poorhouse, a quarantine, a court, and a jail, among other uses.

This Suffolk illustration by artist Tom Wisdom is a high-quality Giclée travel poster on cotton-rich fine art paper. For our premium art print of Framlingham, click here.

12x16" print shown. Cropping and title position (if applicable) may differ slightly on 'A' size prints.