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Between 1905 and 1926 John Fortescue held
the post of Librarian and Archivist at Windsor Castle. Had it not been for this
appointment by King Edward VII, it is unlikely that his famous 'History of
the British Army' would have been finished. His position put him in charge
of some 150,000 books in the library, approximately the same number of prints
& engravings in the print room, plus some 18,000 drawings. Added to this was
the Stewart Collection of relics, the jewels and the War Museum not to mention
the archives! John was the only member of the Household who knew the history of
every stone of the castle and was much in demand during Royal visits to Windsor
- he was an admirable guide.
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The Norman Gateway |
As he was required to spend much
of his time at Windsor Castle, John, who had a flat in Brook Street,
London, had rooms in Edward III's Gatehouse which ran under the library.
They were accessed via the Norman Gateway near the curtain wall.
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The Norman Gateway |
The Norman Gateway from North Terrace
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The Outside of the Library from
Engine Court |
A good description of the rooms
appears on pages 121-129 of 'There's Rosemary There's Rue'. After
John & Winifred's marriage, alterations were carried out to make the
bachelor quarter's more suitable for a married couple. |
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During 1914 John & Winifred settled into married
life splitting their time between Windsor Castle and the little house
they had established in Brompton Square, London. In the latter part of
1914 they witnessed, from their Norman Gateway, draft after draft of
young soldiers departing for Flanders to the strains of the Guard's band
playing 'Auld Lang Syne' followed by 'God save the King'. |
Round Tower - The Archives |
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1929
Windsor Postcard titled Windsor & Eton -
from 'Windsor & Eton' a sketch book by Fred Richards |
   
Pictures - P.Riley
Plan - Windsor Castle |
