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Title
Inside the Great Hall - Winchester #208520190
Description
Around AD70 the Romans constructed a massive earth rampart 800 ft 240 m long and 200 ft 61 m wide. On top of this they built a fort to protect the city of Venta Belgarum. This site was chosen by William the Conqueror as the site of one of the first Norman castles in England.[1]The castle was built in 1067 and for over one hundred years it was the seat of Government of the Norman Kings.[2] Henry II built a stone keep to house the royal treasury and the Domesday Book.[1] A round tower from the original castle complete with sally ports is still visible.[3] In 1141, during The Anarchy, forces of the Empress Matilda were besieged by the forces of King Stephen at the castle, in the Rout of Winchester