Barnstaple Castle
Barnstaple Castle stood near what is now the centre of the town of Barnstaple, Devon (grid reference SS557332). When it was built, it was on the western side of the fortified town and commanded a good view of both the town and its important river crossings.
History
A wooden castle was built by Geoffrey de Mowbray, Bishop of Coutances in the 11th century, clearing houses to make room for it. Juhel of Totnes (Judhael) later lived in the castle and established a priory just outside its walls. The castle's first stone buildings were probably erected by Henry de Tracey, a strong supporter of King Stephen.
In 1228, Henry III ordered the Sheriff of Devon to reduce the castle walls to a height of 10 feet (3 m), as recorded in the Close Rolls for that year.[1] By the time of the death of the last Henry de Tracey in 1274, the castle was beginning to decay. The fabric of the castle was used in the construction of other buildings and by 1326 the castle was a ruin. The remaining walls blew down in a storm in 1601.[2] Now only the tree covered motte remains.[3]
Further reading
- Miles, Trevor J. "The Excavation of a Saxon Cemetery and part of the Norman Castle at North Walk, Barnstaple", Devon Archaeological Society, vol. 44, (1986) pp.59–84.
- Oliver, Bruce W. "The Castle of Barnstaple", Transactions of the Devon Association, vol. 60, (1928) pp.217–223.
References
- ^ Cathcart King, D. J. (1983), Castellarium Anglicanum: An Index and Bibliography of the Castles in England, Wales and the Islands. Volume I, New York: Kraus International Publications, pp. 115, 123, ISBN 0-527-50110-7
- ^ Ford, David Nash. "History of Barnstaple Castle in Devon". Britannia.com. Retrieved 2007-12-13.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month=and|coauthors=(help) - ^ Fry, Plantagenet Somerset (1980). The David & Charles Book of Castles. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. p. 184. ISBN 0-7153-7976-3.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help)
51°04′51″N 4°03′46″W / 51.08083°N 4.06289°W
 | This article about an English castle is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This Devon article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |