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Windsor Castle: its History and Royal Occupants, 1080-2002
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest continuously occupied castle in the world. It has been enlarged and modified throughout its 900 year history to reflect the needs, ambitions and styles of various monarchs. As such the castle has evolved from an impregnable fortress into a royal country residence which as well as being the Queen's favourite home, is regularly used by her for spectacular state occasions.
The restoration of the castle after the fire of 1992 enabled Her Majesty to continue the development of the structure. The lecture shows how today's castle has grown from its 11th century origins and how this evolution relates to the personalities and tastes of its Royal occupants and to the history of Britain. Four monarchs in particular are shown to have made Windsor Castle what it is today - Edward III in the 1360s, Charles II in the 1670s, George IV in the 1820s and the present Queen.
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Following service in the Foreign Office, including postings in India and Spain, Oliver Everett was Assistant Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales, 1978-80; and then Private Secretary to Diana, Princess of Wales, 1981-3. He was Librarian in the Royal Library, Windsor Castle, 1984-2002. He is now Librarian Emeritus following his retirement in 2002. He wrote the official guidebook and audio tour on Windsor Castle, taught a course on its history and advised on a television programme about it. He wrote articles on the Royal Library and helped with two books on aspects of the Royal Collection. He is advising on a possible history series for television. He was educated at Cambridge University and did post graduate work at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, USA; and at the London School of Economics. He lectures widely in Britain and abroad and also on cruise ships.
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