aerial photograph of Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight. The early history of the castle is unknown as the site may well have been occupied even before the Romans arrived. It is known that by the dark ages there was a fortification here and by the year 1000 that included a curtain wall. The Castle was altered and improved throughout the Middle Ages and in 1377 the Castle successfully repulsed an attack from the French.Further improvements were made by Elizebeth 1 and in the 16th Century the Castle was radically changed to reflect the development of warfare with Canon. Charles 1st was imprisoned in Carisbrooke in the run up to his exicution.