Stowey Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stowey Castle |
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| Somerset, England | |
Stowey Castle
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 Stowey Castle
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| Coordinates | 51°08′56″N 3°09′49″W / 51.1490°N 3.1637°W |
| Type | Motte and bailey |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Earthworks remain |
Stowey Castle (also known as Nether Stowey Castle or The Mount) was a type of castle called a motte-and-bailey. It was built by the Normans in the 11th century. You can find its remains in the village of Nether Stowey in Somerset, England.
Today, Stowey Castle is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This means it's an important historical site that needs to be preserved.
Contents
What is Stowey Castle?
Stowey Castle was built on a small, lonely hill about 390 feet (119 meters) high. It was a typical Norman castle with two main parts.
The first part was the motte. This was a tall, cone-shaped mound of earth. On top of the motte, there was a square tower called a keep. This keep might have been made of stone, or it could have been a wooden building on stone foundations.
Around the motte was a wide ditch, about 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide and 7 feet (2.1 meters) deep. The motte itself rose about 29 feet (8.8 meters) above this ditch.
The second part of the castle was the bailey. This was a large, enclosed area next to the motte. Stowey Castle had both an inner and an outer bailey. These areas would have contained buildings like stables, workshops, and homes for the castle's residents.
Who Built Stowey Castle?
The castle's construction is usually linked to Alfred of Spain. He was a Norman lord who owned Stowey during the time of the Domesday Book. The Domesday Book was a huge survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror in 1085. It helped him understand who owned what land and how much it was worth.
Some people also believe Alfred's daughter, Isabel, might have been involved in building the castle. The first time Stowey Castle is mentioned in writing is in a document from 1154.
What Remains Today?
In the 1800s, people dug around the top of the motte. They were looking for old things, but unfortunately, they didn't write down what they found. The small mounds you can see on top of the motte today are probably just piles of dirt left over from these old digs. Some people think they might be the remains of small towers, though.
The only parts of the castle you can still see are the blue stone foundations. These are the base of the keep that once stood on the motte. The entire castle area, including the ditch, was about 820 feet (250 meters) around.
Why Was the Castle Destroyed?
Stowey Castle was destroyed in the 15th century. This might have happened because of something called the Second Cornish Uprising of 1497. This was a rebellion led by a man named Perkin Warbeck. The local lord, James Tuchet, 7th Baron Audley, was involved in this uprising. Destroying the castle might have been a punishment for his actions.
Some of the stones from the old castle were later used to build Stowey Court. This is a building that still stands in the village today.
Images for kids
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Stowey Castle
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Map of the castle site
