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Royal Gardens

Depictions of the gardens at Windsor Castle and other royal residences

JOHN NORDEN (C. 1547-1625)

A Description of the Honor of Windesor.

1607

RCIN 1142252

Detail from RCIN 1142252©

Norden’s birds-eye view of Windsor Castle from the north, created at the beginning of the seventeenth century, provides us with the first visual representation of the area we now call the Moat Garden situated around the Round Tower.

Detail from RCIN 805330©

As the detail from Norden's manuscript image shows, the slopes have been given a green watercolour wash and plants have been represented at intervals. Part of the dry moat was in use as a tennis court.

Towards the end of the century, the slopes of the Round Tower were formally laid out with plant or flower beds, as depicted here, in the detail from a print by Wencelaus Hollar (RCIN 805330), this time showing the Round Tower from the south. Such rows of beds were agricultural in origin, designed for easy access for sowing seeds and growing plants.


    The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.