Windsor Castle (Finalist Royal Arts Prize 2020)

Windsor Castle

The architect will stay discreet, for William takes the glory
His Motte and Bailey made of wood are footnotes of its story
That conquered chapter Hunting Lodge and kingly seat of rule
Upon the Saxon site it stood when Christmastime was ?Yule?.

For sixteen years they laboured hard to hoist those timber logs
To make a Castle for a King and all his hunting dogs
But building upwards, building on, with stone cemented through,
Our Henry built the castle first then added Henry Two.

The Second was more worthy to inspire an Audience there
His Tower round the inner wall to keep the Tudor stair.
King?s Engineers foundation blocks with blessings from the church
Bishop Gundulf helped the Henrys build this Kingly rulers? perch.

Plantagenets with Fitz of loyal Empress-empire planning
withstanding every civil war and countless soldiers manning
Every knook and cranny archers slit and hidden proud red coat
The Sovereign lions waving from the Tower above the moat.

This Castle home, with lawns and flowers of youthful royals playing
a host to many heads of state who proudly come here preying
on British Kings and British Queens and younger uncrowned Princes
with boasts and deeds, with gifts and threats and words of many minces!

And gamely it withstands the puffs of many winds of change
A Castle stands the tests of time and altered spheres of range
Iconic as this landmark is, it alters over time
and stands a testament to youth, and age and every rhyme.