Dorchester Castle facts for kids
Dorchester Castle was an old castle known as a motte and bailey castle. It was located in the market town of Dorchester, Dorset in southern England. A motte and bailey castle had a tall mound of earth (the motte) with a tower on top, and a walled courtyard (the bailey) below.
Contents
The Story of Dorchester Castle
When Was It Built?
It's not clear exactly when Dorchester Castle was first built. We know that between the years 1154 and 1175, the Earl of Cornwall owned it. By 1185, it had become a royal castle, meaning the King owned it.
Royal Connections
Two famous English kings, Henry III and King John, spent money to improve the castle. This shows it was an important place for a while.
The Castle's End
The castle seems to have stopped being used around 1290. People even started taking its stones to build other structures. For example, some of its stonework was used to build Dorchester Greyfriars, a type of monastery, in 1309. By 1422, the castle was definitely abandoned and no longer standing.
What's There Now?
Today, Dorchester Prison stands where the castle used to be. This area was originally just north of the town. Sadly, nothing is left of the old castle or the nearby monastery.
However, in 1720, workers found two secret underground passages while building a chapel. These passages once connected the castle to the main town. In the 1800s, parts of the old castle walls, like a rampart and a ditch, could still be seen on the north and east sides. The prison's gatehouse, built in 1790, is now a special historic building.
A Castle on Wheels
Interestingly, a train engine was named after the castle! Great Western Railway Castle-class locomotive No. 4090 was called "Dorchester Castle."
Castle Leaders
Some records tell us about people who were in charge of the castle:
- In 1216–17, John Marshall, Earl of Pembroke was made the governor.
- In 1270, William Belet was given control of the castle and a nearby park.
