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The castle is located in the Thames Valley to the west of London, in the Berkshire town of Windsor. It was originally built by William the Conqueror to act as a line of defence for London and has since had many additions and improvements. King Edward III made its St. George's Chapel the home of the Order of the Garter in 1348. Today the inhabited wing of the castle mostly dates to within the last two centuries, much of it built under George IV.

The castle's layout dates back to the mediaeval fortifications. The lower ward (at the bottom of the accompanying illustration) is home to St. George's ChapelGeorge's Chapel is located in the lower ward of Windsor Castle, one of the principal residences of the Queen of the United Kingdom. It was founded as a collegiate church in 1348 by Edward III. To this day it is a royal peculiar, existing outside the usual, while the upper ward (at the top) contains the royal apartments and grand state rooms (such as St. George's Hall, whose ceiling is decorated with the coats of arms of all the knights of the garter). The two wards are separated by the round tower, a descendant of the original motte of William the Conqueror's castle. The immediate environs of the castle called "The Home Park" also contains the school (St.Georges, Windsor Castle) that provides choristers to the Chapel.

One of the most popular tourist attractions at Windsor Castle is Queen Mary's Dolls' HouseQueen Mary's Dolls House was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, for Queen Mary (Consort of George V). It was originally exhibited at the British Empire Exhibition, 1924/5, and is now on display at Windsor Castle, England, where it is a tourist attraction, esp, a 1:12 model (designed by Edwin LutyensSir Edwin Landseer Lutyens OM ( March 29 1869 January 1 1944), a British architect, designed many English country houses and was instrumental in the layout and building of New Delhi. He was born and died in London. He studied Architecture at South Kensing) of a house suitable for a monarch in the early 20th century19th century 20th century 21st century more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901- 2000 in the sense of the Gre.

Some of the important events which have occurred at Windsor Castle:

• the marriage of Henry I of EnglandHenry I (c. 1068 December 1, 1135), called Henry Beauclerk or Henry Beauclerc because of his scholarly interests, was the youngest son of William the Conqueror. He reigned as King of England from 1100 to 1135, succeeding his brother, William II Rufus. and his second wife, Adeliza ( 1121Events Concordat of Worms condemns Pierre Abelard's writings on the Holy Trinity. Later in the year, Fulbert of Chartres, uncle of Heloise, has Abelard castrated. Reading Abbey is founded. David the Builder, King of Georgia, with the army of 55,000 defeat)
• the birth of King Edward III of England ( 1312Events June 15 : Battle near Rozgoni Battle near Thebes Siege of Rostock begins Births November 13 King Edward III of England Deaths Piers Gaveston, favourite of Edward II of England 1312.)
• the marriage of Edward, the Black Prince and Joan of Kent ( 1361)
• the burial of King Edward IV of England ( 1483)
• the marriage of the future King Edward VII of the United Kingdom and Alexandra of Denmark ( 1863)
• the marriage of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie Rhys-Jones ( 1999)

During the first world war, the royal family felt the need to change its dynasty name from the German "House of Saxe Coburg-Gotha"; they took their new name from the castle, becoming the " House of Windsor."

On November 20 1992, a significant part of the upper ward of Windsor Castle (including St. George's hall) was damaged by fire. The fire started in the Private Chapel, raged for 15 hours, and seriously damaged the northwest side of the building. An investigation found that the fire was ignited after a spotlight came into contact with a curtain over an extended period. In order to meet the £40 million repair bill several royal residences were opened up to tourists.