Elmley Castle (castle)
Encyclopedia
Elmley Castle, formerly located 1km south of the village of Elmley Castle
in Worcestershire
, was a late 11th century earthwork castle which received stone additions in the 12th and possibly 13th centuries.
and medieval castle
are located on the flanks of Bredon Hill
, 1km to the south of the village to which it gives its name. The castle is supposed to have been built for Robert Despenser, Steward to William the Conqueror
in the years following the Norman Conquest. After his death (post 1098) it descended to his heirs, the powerful Beauchamp family
. It remained their chief seat until William de Beauchamp
inherited the earldom and castle of Warwick from his maternal uncle, William Maudit, 8th Earl of Warwick
, in 1268. Thereafter, Elmley Castle remained a secondary possession of the Earls of Warwick until it was surrendered to the Crown in 1487. In 1528, the castle seems to have been still habitable, for Walter Walshe was then appointed constable and keeper. In 1544, however, prior to its grant by the Crown to Sir William Herbert and Christopher Savage, a survey was made of the manor and castle of Elmley, and it was found that the castle was completely uncovered and in decay. John Leland writing at about this time says, "Ther stondithe now but one Tower, and that partly broken. As I went by I saw Carts carienge Stone thens to amend Persore (Pershore
) Bridge about ii miles of. It is set on the Tope of a Hill full of Wood, and a Townelet hard by."
Only earthworks
now remain, which are designated as a Scheduled Monument. A medieval deer park
surrounding the castle still survives.
Elmley Castle
Elmley Castle is a village and civil parish in Worcestershire, in England, United Kingdom. It is located on the north side of Bredon Hill 4 kilometres south east of Pershore in the local government district of Wychavon.- Amenities and history :...
in Worcestershire
Worcestershire
Worcestershire is a non-metropolitan county, established in antiquity, located in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire" NUTS 2 region...
, was a late 11th century earthwork castle which received stone additions in the 12th and possibly 13th centuries.
History
The ruins of this important NormanNorman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
and medieval castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
are located on the flanks of Bredon Hill
Bredon Hill
Bredon Hill is a hill in Worcestershire, England, south-west of Evesham in the Vale of Evesham. The summit of the hill is in the parish of Kemerton and it extends over parts of eight other parishes...
, 1km to the south of the village to which it gives its name. The castle is supposed to have been built for Robert Despenser, Steward to William the Conqueror
William I of England
William I , also known as William the Conqueror , was the first Norman King of England from Christmas 1066 until his death. He was also Duke of Normandy from 3 July 1035 until his death, under the name William II...
in the years following the Norman Conquest. After his death (post 1098) it descended to his heirs, the powerful Beauchamp family
Baron Beauchamp
The titles Baron Beauchamp and Viscount Beauchamp have been created several times throughout English and British history. There is still an extant Viscountcy of Beauchamp, held by the Marquesses of Hertford.-Beauchamp family:...
. It remained their chief seat until William de Beauchamp
William de Beauchamp, 9th Earl of Warwick
William de Beauchamp, 9th Earl of Warwick was an English nobleman and soldier, described as a “vigorous and innovative military commander”...
inherited the earldom and castle of Warwick from his maternal uncle, William Maudit, 8th Earl of Warwick
William Maudit, 8th Earl of Warwick
William Maudit , 8th Earl of Warwick was an English nobleman and participant in the Barons' War....
, in 1268. Thereafter, Elmley Castle remained a secondary possession of the Earls of Warwick until it was surrendered to the Crown in 1487. In 1528, the castle seems to have been still habitable, for Walter Walshe was then appointed constable and keeper. In 1544, however, prior to its grant by the Crown to Sir William Herbert and Christopher Savage, a survey was made of the manor and castle of Elmley, and it was found that the castle was completely uncovered and in decay. John Leland writing at about this time says, "Ther stondithe now but one Tower, and that partly broken. As I went by I saw Carts carienge Stone thens to amend Persore (Pershore
Pershore
Pershore is a market town in Worcestershire, England, on the banks of the River Avon. Pershore is in the Wychavon district and is part of the West Worcestershire parliamentary constituency. At the 2001 census the population was 7,304...
) Bridge about ii miles of. It is set on the Tope of a Hill full of Wood, and a Townelet hard by."
Only earthworks
Earthworks (archaeology)
In archaeology, earthwork is a general term to describe artificial changes in land level. Earthworks are often known colloquially as 'lumps and bumps'. Earthworks can themselves be archaeological features or they can show features beneath the surface...
now remain, which are designated as a Scheduled Monument. A medieval deer park
Medieval deer park
A medieval deer park was an enclosed area containing deer. It was bounded by a ditch and bank with a wooden park pale on top of the bank. The ditch was typically on the inside, thus allowing deer to enter the park but preventing them from leaving.-History:...
surrounding the castle still survives.
See also
- Castles in Great Britain and Ireland
- List of castles in England
- Fry, Plantagenet Somerset, The David & Charles Book of Castles, David & Charles, 1980. ISBN 0-7153-7976-3