In this reign, in all probability, the Norman Tower, which now forms a
gateway between the middle and the upper ward, was erected. This
tower, at present allotted to the house keeper of the castle, Lady Mary
Fox, was used as a prison-lodging during the civil wars of Charles the
First's time; and many noble and gallant captives have left mementoes
of their loyalty and ill fate upon its walls.
In 1260 Henry received a visit to Windsor from his daughter Margaret,
and her husband, Alexander the Third, King of Scotland. The queen
gave birth to a daughter during her stay at the castle.
In 1264, during the contest between Henry and the barons, the valiant
Prince Edward, his son, returning from a successful expedition into
Wales, surprised the citizens of London, and. carrying off their military
chest, in which was much treasure, retired to Windsor Castle and
strongly garrisoned it. The Queen Eleanor, his mother, would fain have
joined him there, but she was driven back by the citizens at London
Bridge, and compelled to take sanctuary in the palace of the Bishop of
London, at St. Paul's.
Compelled at length to surrender the castle to the barons, and to
depart from it with his consort, Eleanor of Castile, the brave prince soon
afterwards recovered it, but was again forced to deliver it up to Simon
de Montford, Earl of Leicester, who appointed Geoffrey de Langele
governor.
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