Crewkerne Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crewkerne Castle |
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| Crewkerne, Somerset | |
Possible earthwork ramparts of Crewkerne Castle
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 Crewkerne Castle
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| Coordinates | 50°53′34″N 2°49′34″W / 50.8929°N 2.8260°W |
| Type | Possible motte and bailey |
| Site history | |
| Demolished | This castle was never finished |
Crewkerne Castle, also called Castle Hill or Croft Castle, was likely a Norman castle. It was probably a "motte and bailey" type, which means it had a large earth mound (the motte) with a wooden or stone tower on top. Next to it would be a walled courtyard (the bailey). This possible castle site is located north-west of the town of Crewkerne in Somerset, England.
What is Crewkerne Castle?
Crewkerne Castle is on a high piece of land, about 137 meters (450 feet) tall. People have thought this spot was a castle site since at least 1839. It's believed to have been a "motte and bailey" castle, a common type built by the Normans after they conquered England in 1066.
What Did Research Find?
Scientists have done archaeological and geophysical studies here. They found a ditch dug around the top of the hill. Inside this ditch, they discovered a square area made of stone. They also found small pieces of pottery from the 12th century.
There are a few ideas about what this site really was:
- One idea is that it was a Norman "motte," which is the large mound part of a castle.
- Another idea is that it was a "manor house" from the 13th century. A manor house was a large country house, often the main home of a lord or wealthy landowner.
- A third idea is that it was just a local "folly." A folly is a building built just for decoration, without a real purpose.
Who Owned the Land?
The land, known as a "manor," was given to a person named Richard de Redvers by King Henry I around the year 1107. It's thought that Richard's son, Baldwin, might have built something on the hill. In 1150, the Bishop of Salisbury was given the help of knights who were connected to this castle site.
