Elmley Castle (castle) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elmley Castle |
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| Elmley Castle, Worcestershire | |
Remains of Elmley Castle
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 Elmley Castle
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| Coordinates | 52°03′40″N 2°01′55″W / 52.06107°N 2.03204°W |
| Type | Motte and bailey |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public |
No |
| Condition | Earthworks only survive |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Timber |
Elmley Castle was an old castle, built around the late 1000s. It started as a wooden fort on a mound of earth, and later stone parts were added in the 1100s and 1200s. It was located near the village of Elmley Castle in Worcestershire, about half a mile south of the village and 12 miles southeast of the city of Worcester. Today, only the earthworks (the remains of the mounds and ditches) can still be seen.
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The Story of Elmley Castle
Elmley Castle was an important Norman and medieval castle. It was built on the side of Bredon Hill, close to the village it is named after. Experts believe the site might have been an Iron Age camp even before the castle was built.
Who Built Elmley Castle?
The castle is thought to have been built by a man named Robert le Despenser d'Abetot. He was a Steward (a high-ranking official) to King William II. Robert had no children, so when he died around 1098, his brother Urse d'Abetot inherited everything. Urse was an important person too. He was the first feudal baron of Salwarpe in Worcestershire and the Sheriff of Worcestershire around 1069.
The Beauchamp Family and the Castle
Urse d'Abetot's daughter, Emmeline, married Walter de Beauchamp. This is how Elmley Castle became the main home for the powerful Beauchamp family. They lived there for many years.
In 1268, William de Beauchamp, 9th Earl of Warwick inherited a very important title: the Earl of Warwick. He also gained Warwick Castle from his mother's uncle. Because Warwick Castle was much grander, Elmley Castle became less important. It was still owned by the Earls of Warwick but was no longer their main home.
The Castle's Decline
Elmley Castle stayed with the Earls of Warwick until 1487, when it was given to the Crown (the King or Queen). In 1528, it seems the castle was still in good enough condition to be lived in, as someone was appointed to look after it.
However, by 1544, things had changed. A survey was done, and it found that the castle's roof was completely gone, and it was falling apart. Around that time, a writer named John Leland visited. He wrote:
- "There is now only one tower standing, and it is partly broken. As I passed by, I saw carts carrying stones from there to fix Pershore Bridge, about two miles away. The castle is on top of a hill full of trees, with a small town nearby."
This shows that the castle was being taken apart, and its stones were used for other buildings.
What Remains Today?
Today, only the earthworks of Elmley Castle survive. These are the mounds and ditches that show where the castle once stood. These remains are protected as a Scheduled Monument, which means they are important historical sites. You can also still see the outline of the old medieval deer park that surrounded the castle.
