Totnes Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Totnes Castle |
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| Devon, England | |
Keep of Totnes Castle
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 Totnes Castle
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| Coordinates | 50°25′56″N 3°41′28″W / 50.4321°N 3.6910°W |
| Type | Shell keep on motte-and-bailey |
| Site information | |
| Owner | English Heritage |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Devonian limestone and red sandstone |
Totnes Castle is a very old castle in England. It is one of the best examples of a Norman castle called a "motte and bailey". This type of castle has a big mound (the motte) with a tower on top. It also has a walled area (the bailey) below.
The castle is located in the town of Totnes, next to the River Dart in Devon. The stone parts you can see today, like the main tower (called a keep) and the outer wall (called a curtain wall), were built around the 1300s. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, Totnes Castle became the main base for the area.
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History of Totnes Castle
The castle is built on a high hill. This spot gives it a great view over the town and three valleys. This made it a good place to guard the area.
Early Norman Castle
The first castle here was likely built by a man named Juhel of Totnes. He was a Breton, meaning he came from Brittany in France. Juhel was one of William the Conqueror's main helpers. He was given the land around Totnes in 1068.
To control the area, Juhel built a fortification (a strong building for defense). He also started Totnes Priory, a religious house, in the town. This first castle was probably made of wood. It would have had a wooden fence (called a palisade) and a wooden tower.
Changes in Ownership
When King William I died, Juhel lost his lands. This might have been because he supported a rebellion in 1088. The land then went to Roger de Nonant. His family held the castle for about three generations.
Later, the castle came into the hands of William de Braose, 3rd Lord of Bramber. He probably built the first stone parts of the castle. This included a stone tower (a shell keep) and stone walls. A shell keep is a stone wall built around the top of the motte, forming a circular defense.
Repairs and Later Years
By 1326, the castle was in ruins. It was then controlled by the de la Zouch family. A royal order was given to fix the castle. So, it was rebuilt with a new shell keep. Workers used local Devonian limestone and red sandstone for the repairs. A stable was also built, and a constable (a person in charge of the castle) was appointed.
After the Wars of the Roses, the castle fell apart again. It was used for a short time during the English Civil War. However, it did not see any major battles.
Protecting the Castle
Since 1984, English Heritage has looked after Totnes Castle. English Heritage is an organization that protects historic places in England. The castle is a "scheduled monument," which means it is a very important historical site. It is also a "Grade I listed building," meaning it is a building of exceptional historical interest.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Totnes para niños
