Castle Oakhall
| Castle Oakhall | |
|---|---|
Castel Acheall | |
| File:CastleOakhall.jpg The gateway through the Inner Curtain of Castle Oakhall | |
| General information | |
| Location | Lundene |
| Country | Brytene |
| Current tenants | Cenwulf Teorell, Bretwalda of Brytene Charlotte Teorell |
Castle Oakhall is the official residence of the Bretwalda of Brytene, currently Cenwulf Teorell. It has served as the seat of power in Anglaland since its construction in 1346.
History
See also: History of Brytene
The rocky outcrop on which the castle is constructed has been inhabited since at least the 8th millenium BC, with evidence of human activity found in the form of firepits, waste dumps, and cave-paintings in the caverns beneath the current castle. The site was the location of a Celtic hillfort, but the brother-and-sister duo Hengist and Horsa stormed the fort in the 5th Century AD, with legends speaking of great bloodshed and slaughter that led to the foundation of the first Kingdom of Anglaland.
A large oaken feasting hall stood on the site, surrounded by a small town within a wooden palisade. As the town grew, it overflowed the boundaries of the walls, spreading into the valley of the River Tam below to form what is now Lundene.
In 1343AD, the Great Jihad saw Lundene laid siege. The city fell after a month-long siege, and the castle was burned to the ground. Following the Battle of Lowencraic and the defeat of the Great Jihad, the newly-crowned King Aelfric II ordered the construction of a new castle, fortified and proof against fire and attack. Expert masons and engineers from across the world were paid generous amounts to come and construct an entirely new castle atop the charred outcrop, and after twenty years of construction, the new keep was completed.
The castle has stood ever since, with several renovations and additions, and today serves as the official residence of the Bretwalda of Brytene and his family. It also hosts the offices of the Witenagmot and the barracks of the Lantern Guard battalion. It is used for official state functions, ceremonies and visits.
Buildings
The Pale Keep
The Pale Keep is the oldest part of the castle still standing, built between 1346 and 1366. It consists of a single large tower keep of tough sandstone, with a secondary rectangular hall of sandstone. It is surrounded by the Inner Curtain and stands atop the highest point of the outcrop. The tough granite and gabbro foundations are permeated with a small network of caverns, which are currently used as wine and cheese cellars and, purportedly, also lead to a nuclear survival bunker hidden deep beneath the earth. In former years they were used as dungeons, and two of the outer caverns are tourist attractions due to their incredibly well-preserved cave paintings.
The personal residence of the Bretwalda, along with his family, is found in the Pale Keep's primary tower, whilst the Great Hall and the staff quarters are found in the larger sandstone section. The Bretwalda's quarters include a private cinema, several suites of rooms, a library, an office, and a swimming pool.
The Wardhouse
Built in 1421, the Wardhouse occupies the whole eastern end of the Outer Curtain, and dominates the only official entrance into the Castle. It houses the Lantern Guard, the elite battalion tasked with protecting the Bretwalda, the castle, and the Brytisc Rede. The Wardhouse contains barrack space for almost 500 military personnel, as well as containing a garage for the various armoured vehicles used by the Lantern Guard. A gym is located on the ground floor, whilst underground is an armoury and a situational command centre. The Wardhouse is heavily reinforced, as a critical chokepoint, and is designed to withstand determined attack. The precise nature of the defenses are classified. All visitors to the castle must pass through a security checkpoint in the Wardhouse.
The Pasture
The Pasture is the largest open space in the castle, consisting of a pair of large grassy spaces split by a stream which runs north-south. The larger section, to the west, meets a large paved forecourt in front of the gateway to the Inner Curtain, and is often used for public ceremonies, parades, historical re-enactments, and other events. This space is also used as a helicopter landing pad when necessary. The smaller space is home to a fountain of Frija, built in 1811.
Public access
The area within the Outer Curtain is open to the public Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00, and 12:00-21:00 on Saturdays. Entry for Brytisc citizens is free on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and costs fifteen Scillings otherwise. Entry for non-Brytisc guests is 25 Scillings per person. Discounts are available for seniors, children, students, and the disabled. Military discounts are also available for the personnel of Brytisc allied armed forces.
Events such as Lantern Guard parades and state ceremonies typically take place on Saturdays, and tickets are sold in advance online or over the phone.
Symbol of Brytene
The Castle is a famous tourist attraction, and draws thousands of visitors every year. It is one of the most popular sights in Brytene, and is featured on promotional material, souvenirs and more. It has appeared on several stamp runs and currently features on the front of the 10sc note.