Odyssey to Oxford 2009: Arundel Castle

It may look like a fairy tale castle, but mainly soap operas took place there. On Saturday, we visited Arundel Castle, home of the Dukes of Norfolk.

The Duke of Norfolk is considered the premier duke in a peerage system that also includes barons, viscounts, earls, and marquees. The castle dates back to the 11th century and the same family has lived there ever since.

The family has traditionally been Roman Catholic in a Protestant England. Philip Howard, the 20th Earl of Arundel (during the time when the family lost its duke title), was beheaded by Queen Elizabeth I because of his faith. One of the most interesting pieces in the castle were some gold rosary beads that the Catholic Mary Queen of Scots carried to her execution. Today, the family often represents England in Catholic affairs.

The 18th Duke of Norfolk and his family presently live in this castle, although in a wing that's closed off to visitors. They maintain the castle by opening their family history to tourists and holding events on their grounds throughout the year. The British Shakespeare Company was rehearsing for A Midnight Summer's Dream in the Collector Earl's Garden while we were there.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert once stayed at the castle, and the staff had to be alerted to their visit two years in advance! They have a special Victoria bedroom there that features a rare portrait of Victoria as a young woman. Like at Hughenden Manor, Arundel Castle has a shovel that the Queen used to plant a tree on the property. Bet you didn't know one of the Queen's duties is to save the world...one tree at a time!

My favorite part of Arundel Castle was the library. I liked it better than the one at the Bodleian. Look it up and you'll see what I mean!

I got a kick out of these three! They were roaming the castle grounds, and a guy in a suit was chasing them around and trying to herd them to no avail.