Ed Sheeran in Suffolk and a Castle on a Hill

Have you heard the one about the Castle on the Hill?

Ed Sheeran has just released ‘Castle on the Hill’, a song described as a ‘love song for Suffolk’.  Given that Ed Sheeran hails from Framlingham, we, among others, thought it wasn’t too much of a leap to speculate that the castle in question is Framlingham Castle.

Described by English Heritage, who now manage the site, as “a magnificent late 12^th-century castle”, Framlingham has a storied history.  Built in the 12^th century by a Norman family that quickly built up land and power, Framlingham has since been owned by a succession of noble families.  It was owned by the Dukes of Norfolk, which led to it being inherited by the Howard family in 1483.  Here begins its Tudor history, as it was given to Mary Tudor after the death of her brother Edward.  Mary fled there pursued by the supporters of Lady Jane Grey, and restored the dukedom to the Howards.

Framlingham’s history intersects with Pembroke’s in 1635, when it was sold to Sir Robert Hitcham.  When he died in 1936 he left Framlingham to Pembroke.  He stipulated that the alms-houses and a school for the poor should be maintained, although his will was a complicated one that required Matthew Wren to decipher it.

You can read a timeline of Framlingham on the English Heritage site, or visit yourself.  However, if you do visit we don’t suggest following Ed’s example and “driving at 90 down those country lanes”!