Nottingham castle is primarily associated with the noble robber in tights, Robin Hood, who helped the poor and fought the chief of Nottingham.

The history of the castle in the city of Nottingham is much richer than the legends of Robin Hood. Let's start with the fact that this beautiful castle is one of the most ancient not only in England but also in Great Britain. Once a major royal fortress and fortified residence of local rulers, today it is one of Nottingham's most visited attractions, a museum, and an art gallery.

Let's go back almost a thousand years. In that time, when the first stone of the legendary fortress was laid on the cape "Castle Rock". The first Nottingham castle was built of wood on the orders of William the Conqueror. Unfortunately, the wooden structure, even surrounded by a moat, did not last long. In the era of Henry II, it was replaced with stone. The architecture of the castle has also changed, there were additional towers where the royal chambers were located. The fortress was built in the Motte-Bailey style. The outer walls were flattened from the top and made in such a way that it is not clear whether this is a natural embankment or the work of man. A moat ran around the castle. There, the inhabitants took water and soil for the subsequent strengthening of the castle.

The rulers came there to rest after military campaigns and hunt deer in the local forest. But the fortress has not lost its main function: controlling the crossing of the River Trent.

One of the most famous battles in the history of the castle occurred between Richard "the Lion Heart" and supporters of Prince John. While Richard was on the Third Crusade, the Prince's supporters, who according to legend included the Sheriff of Nottingham, occupied the castle. But under the pressure of Richard's troops, they surrendered a few days later.

Also in the castle, supporters of 18-year-old King Edward III were caught by Queen Isabella's lover Roger Mortimer. He was thrown into the Tower of London and hanged a month later.