Devizes Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Devizes Castle |
|
|---|---|
| Wiltshire, England | |
Entrance to Victorian castle
|
|
 Devizes Castle
|
|
| Coordinates | 51°21′03″N 1°59′55″W / 51.3508°N 1.9985°W |
| Type | Motte-and-bailey |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Private |
| Open to the public |
no |
| Condition | Fragments of medieval castle remain |
| Site history | |
| Battles/wars | The Anarchy, English Civil War |
Devizes Castle was once a strong medieval fort in Devizes, England. Today, a newer, Victorian-style castle stands on the same spot. The first castle was built around 1080. It was a motte-and-bailey castle, meaning it had a raised earth mound (motte) with a tower and a walled courtyard (bailey). This early castle was made of wood.
Contents
Discovering Devizes Castle's Medieval Past
The first motte-and-bailey castle was built here in 1080. It was built by Osmund, who was the Bishop of Salisbury. The castle is even mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.
It got its name from its location. The castle was built where three church areas, called parishes, met. So, its Latin name was Castrum ad divisas, meaning "the castle at the boundaries". This name later became "Devizes". The town of Devizes grew up around the castle.
From Wood to Stone: A Stronger Castle
The original wooden castle burned down in 1113. But it was quickly rebuilt in stone by 1120. This new, stronger castle was built by Roger, Bishop of Salisbury. People at the time said it was the most beautiful fortress in Europe.
Bishop Roger lived in the castle during the rule of King Henry I. Later, in the 1130s, King Stephen took control of it. During a time of civil war called The Anarchy, Empress Matilda briefly captured the castle. She returned it when King Stephen threatened her son. But Matilda later took it back and held it for some time.
The castle stayed under the control of the English Crown for centuries. King Henry II and King Henry III used it as a prison. Later, Henry VIII owned it. He gave it to his wife Catherine of Aragon, but took it back after their divorce.
Famous Prisoners at Devizes Castle
Many important people were held prisoner at Devizes Castle. In 1106, Robert Curthose was imprisoned here. He was the eldest son of William the Conqueror. Later, in 1232, Hubert de Burgh was also held captive. In 1206, King John even imprisoned his second wife, Isabella, at the castle.
Devizes Castle During the English Civil War
In 1643, during the English Civil War, the castle was held by Royalist soldiers. These were troops loyal to the King. Parliamentary forces, who supported Parliament, tried to capture it. Their leader was Sir William Waller.
However, just three days later, the Royalists won a big victory. This was at the Battle of Roundway Down. Waller's army was defeated. The castle and town remained under Royalist control. Sir Charles Lloyd, the King's Chief Engineer, defended the town against many attacks.
The Castle's Fall and Demolition
In September 1645, Oliver Cromwell arrived with a large army. He had heavy cannons and laid siege to the castle. After being bombarded, the castle surrendered to Cromwell's 5,000 soldiers.
In May 1648, Parliament ordered the castle to be taken apart. This process is known as slighting. The stones from the castle were then used to build other structures nearby.
What Remains of the Medieval Castle
The original medieval castle, which lies beneath the current one, became a scheduled monument in 1953. This means it's a protected historical site. Excavations have shown that the castle's mound (motte) and ditch are still impressive. They show how the castle and town were connected.
Historians have found good records about the castle's past. Even though parts of the original castle were built over, there's still a lot to learn. The castle was even used as a prisoner of war camp during World War I. Its layout still influences the town of Devizes today.
Building the Victorian Devizes Castle
In 1838, the land where the castle once stood was bought by J. N. Tylee. He then sold it to Valentine Leach, a local businessman. The castle you see today is a Victorian era 'castle'. It was designed by Henry Goodridge, an architect from Bath.
This new castle looks like a mix of old styles. It has elements of Neo-Norman and Gothic Revival designs. Building started around 1840. It was designed to look uneven and interesting. More parts were added in the 1860s and later years. The north tower even includes parts of a 17th-century brick windmill.
Discoveries During Rebuilding
When the Victorian castle was being built, people found old parts of the medieval castle. In 1858, they dug up parts of the old keep and other buildings. In 1860, when Leach was making the castle bigger, they excavated the moat. They also found the foundations of the old hall's pillars.
Over the years, the property has had several owners. Sir Charles Rich, for example, made some changes. In 1951, the castle was sold in two separate parts: the "North Tower" and the "South Tower".
The current castle, with its towers and castle-like decorations, is on a 2.4-acre property. It was given a Grade I listed status in 1972. This means it's a very important historical building. The listing describes the changes made in the 1860s, 70s, and 80s. The inside of the castle has a mix of old styles. Some rooms have fancy ceilings with carved designs.
Devizes Castle in the 21st Century
.jpg)
In the early 2000s, different parts of the castle had different owners. For example, in 2004, Edward Owen owned the North Tower area. Mark Lovell owned the South Tower area. By 2009, Jonathan Lewis owned the "main section and the north tower".
In 2010, Julia Dempster bought the "north tower and main area" of the castle. Later, in 2019, a news article said Lavender Howard owned "the castle". It didn't say which specific section.
The Castle on the Market
The "principal part" of the castle was put up for sale in 2018 and again in 2019. This part included the main house and gardens. It was sometimes called "semi-detached" because the South Tower area was separate.
When it was for sale, more details about the castle became known. It was described as a large house, about 9,117 square feet. It had nine bedrooms and six full bathrooms. The property included a 2.4-acre lot. Pictures showed that the castle had been updated inside. It still had old features like stone windows and big fireplaces. Many rooms had fancy ceilings. There was also a "fernery" with a beautiful tiled floor.
Images for kids
-
The medieval gatehouse from St Johns Street (2011)
