Trematon Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trematon Castle |
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| Saltash, Cornwall | |
Trematon Castle
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 Trematon Castle
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| Coordinates | 50°24′02″N 4°14′16″W / 50.40044°N 4.23774°W |
| Type | Shell keep with bailey |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Ruined |
Trematon Castle is an old castle found near Saltash in Cornwall, England. It was once the main home for an important family who owned a lot of land in the area. The castle looks a bit like Restormel Castle and has a strong tower called a keep from the 1100s.
Trematon Castle sits high up, looking over Plymouth Sound. It was likely built by Robert, Count of Mortain not long after the Normans took over England. It was built on top of an even older Roman fort. This type of castle is called a motte-and-bailey castle, which means it has a big mound (motte) and a walled yard (bailey).
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What Does Trematon Castle Look Like?
Trematon Castle has a stone keep built on an older mound, just like Restormel Castle. Even though parts are in ruins, you can still clearly see how the castle and its keep looked originally.
The keep is shaped like an oval. Its walls are about 10 feet (3 meters) thick and 30 feet (9 meters) high. Inside, it's about 21 meters wide. There's also a rectangular gatehouse that was built in 1270. This gatehouse has two floors and a portcullis, which is a heavy metal or wooden gate that slides down to block the entrance. Both the keep and the gatehouse are still in good shape.
A famous historian, Sir Charles Oman, once said that Trematon Castle is "high aloft" on the hills behind Saltash.
Inside the castle's main yard, there's a Georgian style house. This house was built around 1808. It has several large rooms and bedrooms. Part of the old castle wall was taken down to give this house a nice view of the countryside.
A Look Back at Trematon's History
The castle was first built by Robert, Count of Mortain shortly after the Normans arrived in England.
Who Owned the Castle?
For many years, from the Norman Conquest until 1270, a family called Valletort owned the rights to the ferry crossing from Plymouth to Saltash. This ferry was very important for travel.
In 1270, Roger de Valletort sold Trematon Castle and its lands to Richard, Earl of Cornwall. From that time on, the castle has always belonged to the Earls and Dukes of Cornwall. Earl Richard bought it for £300, which was a lot of money back then!
Sir Francis Drake's Treasure
In 1580, the famous explorer Sir Francis Drake returned from sailing around the world. He brought back a huge treasure. This treasure was full of gold, silver, and precious stones, especially emeralds. He had found these riches from Spanish ships along the coast of South America.
First, the treasure was kept on his ship, the Golden Hind. Then, it was moved to Trematon Castle for safekeeping. Later, it was taken to the Tower of London.
Recent Times at Trematon
In 1961, the Duchy of Cornwall, which still owns the castle, offered it for rent. It became the home of Hugh Foot, Lord Caradon. His son, Paul Foot, who became a well-known journalist, spent some of his childhood living there.
Queen Elizabeth II visited Trematon Castle on July 25, 1962. She was with the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Sir Edward Bolitho. After her visit, she went to Fowey and boarded the royal yacht Britannia.
Today, Trematon Castle is open to the public. You can visit on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Images for kids
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Trematon Castle
