Barnstaple Castle
| Barnstaple Castle | |
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| Creation time : | around 1067 to 1100 |
| Conservation status: | Burgstall |
| Construction: | Timber construction, stone |
| Place: | Barnstaple |
| Geographical location | 51 ° 4 '48 " N , 4 ° 3' 41" W |
Barnstaple Castle was a castle complex in Barnstaple in the county of Devon , United Kingdom . In the Middle Ages it was one of the most important fortifications in North Devon.
Only the castle mound ( Motte ) with the remains of the moat are preserved from the complex . It is accessible all year round.
history
In the 11th century, Geoffroy de Montbray , Bishop of Coutances and close confidante of William the Conqueror , had a wooden castle built. For this, over 20 Saxon houses had to give way. Judhael de Totnes later lived temporarily in the castle and founded a monastery outside the castle walls.
The stone defense tower was built in the 12th century by Henry de Tracey , a loyal follower of King Stephen during the English Civil War , and was around 60 feet (18 meters) high and about 40 feet (12 meters) in diameter.
In 1228 Barnstaple Castle was built on the orders of King Henry III. partially destroyed. The sheriff of Devon had the castle wall torn down to 10 feet (3 meters) as the king was concerned about the increasing power of his nobles.
At the end of the 14th century, the complex was only a ruin , the population had started to remove the stones and the lead roof . In a storm in 1601, the last wall collapsed. Shortly afterwards, the last stones were finally gone.