Montacute Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Montacute Castle |
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| Montacute, Somerset | |
View from the site of Monacute Castle
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 Montacute Castle
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| Coordinates | 50°56′57″N 2°43′23″W / 50.9493°N 2.7231°W |
| Type | Motte and bailey |
| Site information | |
| Owner | National Trust |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Site history | |
| Battles/wars | 1068 uprising |
Montacute Castle was an old castle built on a hill. It overlooked the village of Montacute in Somerset, England. This type of castle is called a motte and bailey castle.
Contents
Building Montacute Castle
Montacute Castle was built after the Normans took over England in 1066. A powerful Norman lord named Robert of Mortain had it built. He was a very important person in the new Norman government.
Why Build a Castle Here?
The castle was part of a new settlement called Mons Acutus. This Latin name means "sharp hill." Robert got the land from Athelney Abbey. He traded another piece of land, called Purse Caundle, for it. This was a big deal for Robert.
The builders used the hill's natural shape. They made an oval-shaped mound, called a motte. On top of the motte, there would have been a wooden tower. Around the motte, they built an inner courtyard, called a bailey. There was also an outer bailey. A special park for hunting deer was also made near the castle.
The spot for the castle was chosen for a reason. Before a big battle, the Anglo-Saxons found what they thought was a holy cross on this hill. Their leader, Harold Godwinson, valued this cross greatly. It even became their battle cry against the Normans. Building a Norman castle here was a way for Robert to show Norman power.
Castle's Importance and Decline
Robert made Montacute Castle the main castle for his lands. This was called his honour. He even left another castle he had built, Castle Neroche, to focus on Montacute.
In 1068, there was a big Anglo-Saxon revolt against Norman rule. Rebels tried to attack Montacute Castle. But they were defeated by Geoffrey de Montbray, a powerful bishop.
Later, in 1102, Robert's son, William of Mortain, gave the castle and its lands away. He gave them to a religious group called the Cluniac order. They then built Montacute Priory there.
After this, the castle was no longer used for fighting. It slowly fell apart. However, the castle's chapel, a small church, stayed in use. It was dedicated to Saint Michael. People used it until at least 1315.
What Happened to the Castle?
By 1540, a writer named John Leland said the castle was "party fell to ruin." This means it was mostly ruined. People even started taking stones from the castle to use for other buildings. This caused the castle to disappear over time. The castle chapel was later rebuilt after the rest of the castle was gone.
Montacute Castle Today
Today, the site of Montacute Castle is a scheduled monument. This means it's a special historical place protected by law. An 18th-century building, called St. Michael's Hill Tower, stands there now. It's a type of building called a folly, which means it was built for decoration. This tower uses parts of the old castle chapel's foundations.
The National Trust owns the site. This organization protects historical places. You can visit the site today. Staff from English Heritage even surveyed the site in 2000 to learn more about it.
Images for kids
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Map of Montacute Castle
