There are numerous castles in Gloucestershire, a county

Counties of England

Counties of England are areas used for the purposes of administrative, geographical and political demarcation. For administrative purposes, England outside Greater London and the Isles of Scilly is divided into 83 counties. The counties may consist of a single district or be divided into several...

 in South West England

South West England

South West England is one of the regions of England defined by the Government of the United Kingdom for statistical and other purposes. It is the largest such region in area, covering and comprising Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. ...

. They consist of motte-and-bailey

Motte-and-bailey

A motte-and-bailey is a form of castle, with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised earthwork called a motte, accompanied by an enclosed courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade...

s, fortified manor house

Manor house

A manor house is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes...

s, ringwork

Ringwork

A ringwork is a form of fortified defensive structure, usually circular or oval in shape. Ringworks are essentially motte-and-bailey castles minus the motte...

, and ring-mottes. A motte-and-bailey castle has two elements, the motte is an artificial conical mound with a wooden stockade

Stockade

A stockade is an enclosure of palisades and tall walls made of logs placed side by side vertically with the tops sharpened to provide security.-Stockade as a security fence:...

 and stronghold on top, usually a stone keep

Keep

A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...

 or tower. A bailey is a defended enclosure below the motte, surrounded by a ditch. Motte-and-bailey castles were the most common type of castle in England following the Norman Conquest

Norman conquest of England

The Norman conquest of England began on 28 September 1066 with the invasion of England by William, Duke of Normandy. William became known as William the Conqueror after his victory at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, defeating King Harold II of England...

. Ringworks are similar to motte-and-baileys although lack the characteristic motte; across England they are an uncommon form of fortification but were popular in the west of Gloucestershire in the 11th century. A ring-motte is a ring-work with a raised centre. A shell keep was a motte with a stone wall rather than a wooden stockade on top; there would have been no tower within the walls.

The first wave of castle building in Gloucestershire occurred after the Norman invasion of 1066, with William FitzOsbern

William Fitzosbern, 1st Earl of Hereford

William FitzOsbern , Lord of Breteuil, in Normandy, was a relative and close counsellor of William the Conqueror and one of the great magnates of early Norman England...

, the Earl of Hereford, given the initial responsibility for occupying Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and probably Worcestershire. FitzOsbern probably built the first castle at Gloucester, and pushed westwards to build the castle at Chepstow

Chepstow Castle

Chepstow Castle , located in Chepstow, Monmouthshire in Wales, on top of cliffs overlooking the River Wye, is the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain...

; other early castles were built in the Forest of Dean

Forest of Dean

The Forest of Dean is a geographical, historical and cultural region in the western part of the county of Gloucestershire, England. The forest is a roughly triangular plateau bounded by the River Wye to the west and north, the River Severn to the south, and the City of Gloucester to the east.The...

 to shield the city of Gloucester from Welsh incursions. Many of these castles were abandoned soon after the conquest as security improved. To the south of Gloucestershire, Bristol Castle

Bristol Castle

Bristol Castle was a Norman castle built for the defence of Bristol. Remains can be seen today in Castle Park near the Broadmead Shopping Centre, including the sally port.-History:...

 formed the next substantial fortification, with another network of castles in Herefordshire providing defence to the north. After the fall of FitzOsbern's son, Walter de Gloucester

Walter de Gloucester

Walter de Gloucester was an early Norman official of the King of England during the early years of the Norman conquest of the South Welsh Marches.-Titles:...

 rose to power in the region, followed by his son, Miles de Gloucester

Miles de Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford

Miles de Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford, Lord of Brecknock was the son of Walter de Gloucester, who served as hereditary sheriff of that county between 1104 and 1121....

. In the final years before the outbreak of the civil war of the Anarchy

The Anarchy

The Anarchy or The Nineteen-Year Winter was a period of English history during the reign of King Stephen, which was characterised by civil war and unsettled government...

, the Gloucesters were extensively developing their primary castle at Gloucester. Gloucester was a key battleground in the conflict from 1139–53 between the rival rulers of Stephen

Stephen of England

Stephen , often referred to as Stephen of Blois , was a grandson of William the Conqueror. He was King of England from 1135 to his death, and also the Count of Boulogne by right of his wife. Stephen's reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda...

 and Empress Matilda

Empress Matilda

Empress Matilda , also known as Matilda of England or Maude, was the daughter and heir of King Henry I of England. Matilda and her younger brother, William Adelin, were the only legitimate children of King Henry to survive to adulthood...

. Warfare in England at the time centred on castles and attrition warfare and the largely pro-Angevin supporters of Matilda in Gloucestershire responded with a rush of castle-building. Many of these were destroyed by Stephen during the war, or after the conflict when Henry II attempted to restore royal control over these critical fortifications, although recent scholarship has indicated that less Gloucestershire castles were destroyed in the 1150s than once thought. In the 13th and 14th century, fortified manor houses became a more popular form of fortification. By the 16th century, most Gloucestershire castles were in disuse, although some, such as Gloucester and St Briavels

St Briavels

St Briavels is a medium sized village and civil parish in the Royal Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire, England; close to the England-Wales border, and south of Coleford. It stands almost above sea level on the edge of a limestone plateau above the valley of the River Wye, above an ancient...

 remained in use as administrative centres or gaols. Several castles in Gloucestershire were damaged or slighted

Slighting

A slighting is the deliberate destruction, partial or complete, of a fortification without opposition. During the English Civil War this was to render it unusable as a fort.-Middle Ages:...

 in the English Civil War

English Civil War

The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...

 from 1642–9. In the 18th and 19th century, prison reform brought an end to the use of Gloucestershire castles as gaols, leaving only a handful of occupied castles as private homes in the 21st century.

List of castles

Name	Type and date	Condition	Location	Picture	Notes
Berkeley Castle Berkeley Castle Berkeley Castle is a castle in the town of Berkeley, Gloucestershire, UK . The castle's origins date back to the 11th century and it has been designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building.The castle has remained within the Berkeley family since they reconstructed it in the...	Motte and bailey, 1067.	Private home of the Berkeley family, partially open to the public	Berkeley Berkeley, Gloucestershire Berkeley is a town and civil parish in Gloucestershire, England. It lies in the Vale of Berkeley between the east bank of the River Severn and the M5 motorway within the Stroud administrative district. The town is noted for Berkeley Castle where the imprisoned Edward II was murdered.- Geography... 51.68797°N 2.45707°W		The first castle at Berkeley was built by William FitzOsbern William Fitzosbern, 1st Earl of Hereford William FitzOsbern , Lord of Breteuil, in Normandy, was a relative and close counsellor of William the Conqueror and one of the great magnates of early Norman England... . The castle was held for the Empress Matilda during the Anarchy, and was destroyed during the conflict. Rebuilt in 1153, the new castle included a shell keep Shell keep A shell keep is a style of medieval fortification, best described as a stone structure circling the top of a motte.In English castle morphology, shell keeps are perceived as the successors to motte-and-bailey castles, with the wooden fence around the top of the motte replaced by a stone wall...  and stone curtain wall Curtain wall (fortification) A curtain wall is a defensive wall between two bastions of a castle or fortress.In earlier designs of castle the curtain walls were often built to a considerable height and were fronted by a ditch or moat to make assault difficult.... . The castle became famous as the site of Edward II Edward II of England Edward II , called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed by his wife Isabella in January 1327. He was the sixth Plantagenet king, in a line that began with the reign of Henry II... 's suspicious death in 1327. The castle was damaged during the English Civil War and the Berkeley family was forbidden to repair it. Some remodelling of the castle was undertaken at the beginning of the 20th century.
Beverstone Castle	Pentangonal bailey, before 1229	Partially intact and used as a private home	Beverston Beverston Beverston is a village and civil parish in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 132. The village is about two miles west of Tetbury. Beverston is an example of a typical unaltered Gloucestershire Cotswold village... 51.64507°N 2.203009°W		Maurice de Gaunt constructed the original pentagonal castle before 1229 without a royal licence, but was granted a licence for the purpose of adding crenellation. In the early 14th century, Thomas, Lord Berkeley Thomas de Berkeley, 3rd Baron Berkeley Thomas de Berkeley , aka Thomas the Rich, was an English baron and the custodian of the Berkeley Castle.He was the son of Maurice de Berkeley, 2nd Baron Berkeley and Eve la Zouche.-Edward II:...  modified the castle, erecting a small quadrangular stronghold, with a twin-towered gatehouse Gatehouse A gatehouse, in architectural terminology, is a building enclosing or accompanying a gateway for a castle, manor house, fort, town or similar buildings of importance.-History:... . A smaller square tower was added in the late 15th century. The castle was slighted Slighting A slighting is the deliberate destruction, partial or complete, of a fortification without opposition. During the English Civil War this was to render it unusable as a fort.-Middle Ages:...  during the English Civil War, with the south range being retained as a private dwelling.
Bledisloe Tump Bledisloe Tump Bledisloe Tump was a castle in the village of Awre in Gloucestershire, England.The first castle on the site was built in the 11th or early 12th century and was a simple timber structure. The site was chosen because it occupied a natural high point overlooking the River Severn...	Probable ringwork, 11th or 12th century	Destroyed	Awre Awre Awre is a village and civil parish in the Forest of Dean district of Gloucestershire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 1,644. The parish includes Awre and the larger village of Blakeney, and also Etloe, Gatcombe, Two Bridges and Viney Hill.-External links:** at Forest... 51.771123°N 2.460089°W		The castle was originally a simple timber Timber Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...  structure. The site was chosen because it occupied a natural high point overlooking the River Severn River Severn The River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain, at about , but the second longest on the British Isles, behind the River Shannon. It rises at an altitude of on Plynlimon, Ceredigion near Llanidloes, Powys, in the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales... . A later mound, 60 ft wide and 7 ft high was also constructed on the site, and it is suspected that this may have been an unfinished motte. The castle may have been destroyed by Henry II Henry II of England Henry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...  after the conflict as part of a wider programme of castle denigration in Gloucestershire during the 1160s. The remaining earthworks were destroyed during the 1970s.
Brimpsfield Castle Brimpsfield Castle Brimpsfield Castle was a castle in the village of Brimpsfield in the county of Gloucestershire, England, between Gloucester and Cirencester.It is likely that the first castle was built after the Norman invasion. Then, in the 12th or 13th century, it was rebuilt in stone. The owner, John Giffard,...	Motte and bailey, 11th century	Earthworks and limited masonry	Brimpsfield Brimpsfield Brimpsfield is a village in Gloucestershire, England.The village is recorded in Domesday Book as "Brimesfelde". The manor of Brimpsfield was granted to Maurice de Berkeley in 1339 by King Edward III.... 51.814248°N 2.087721°W		It is likely that the first castle was built after the Norman invasion Norman conquest of England The Norman conquest of England began on 28 September 1066 with the invasion of England by William, Duke of Normandy. William became known as William the Conqueror after his victory at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, defeating King Harold II of England... , before being rebuilt in stone in the 12th or 13th century. The owner, John Giffard, 2nd Lord of Brimpsfield John Giffard John Giffard , baron Giffard of Brimsfield, was an English nobleman prominent in the Second Barons' War and in Wales. His initial gift of land in Oxford led to the foundation of Gloucester College, Oxford.-Involvement in military actions:... , rebelled against King Edward II Edward II of England Edward II , called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed by his wife Isabella in January 1327. He was the sixth Plantagenet king, in a line that began with the reign of Henry II...  and was executed in 1322, the castle then being destroyed.
Castle Hale	Unknown, early 12th century	Destroyed, covered by modern Painswick	Painswick Painswick Painswick is a small town in Gloucestershire, England. Originally the town grew on the wool trade, but it is now best known for its parish church's yew trees and the local Rococo Garden. The town is mainly constructed of locally quarried Cotswold stone... 51.78355°N 2.194933°W		A small Norman castle was built here by Pain Fitz John, a later supporter of the Empress Matilda. It was destroyed in the 16th century to make way for a new court house.
Castle Tump Castle Tump, Dymock Castle Tump was a castle in the village of Dymock in Gloucestershire, England.The castle was built in either the 11th or more probably the early 12th century as a motte and bailey design. The motte today is 14 m high, with the traces of the bailey to the south-east.During the Anarchy the castle was...	Motte and bailey, 11th or 12th century	Earthworks	Dymock Dymock Dymock is a small village in the Forest of Dean district of Gloucestershire, England about four miles south of Ledbury, with a population of approx. 300 people.... 51.961876°N 2.42129°W		The castle motte today is 14 m high, with the traces of the bailey to the south-east. During the Anarchy The Anarchy The Anarchy or The Nineteen-Year Winter was a period of English history during the reign of King Stephen, which was characterised by civil war and unsettled government...  the castle was given to William de Braose William de Braose, 3rd Lord of Bramber William de Braose, 3rd Lord of Bramber was a 12th-century Marcher lord who secured a foundation for the dominant position later held by the Braose family in the Welsh Marches. In addition to the family's English holdings in Sussex and Devon, William had inherited Radnor and Builth, in Wales, from... , the son-in-law of the powerful Miles de Gloucester Miles de Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford Miles de Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford, Lord of Brecknock was the son of Walter de Gloucester, who served as hereditary sheriff of that county between 1104 and 1121.... . After the conflict the castle is believed to have probably been destroyed by Henry II Henry II of England Henry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...  as part of a wider programme of castle denigration in Gloucestershire during the 1160s.
Cirencester Castle Cirencester Castle Cirencester Castle was a castle in the town of Cirencester in Gloucestershire, England.The castle was originally built in the 11th century in timber, with a square keep added in stone in 1107. The castle was of primarily local significance, being relatively small...	Motte and bailey, 11th century	Destroyed, covered by modern Cirencester	Cirencester Cirencester Cirencester is a market town in east Gloucestershire, England, 93 miles west northwest of London. Cirencester lies on the River Churn, a tributary of the River Thames, and is the largest town in the Cotswold District. It is the home of the Royal Agricultural College, the oldest agricultural... 51.716275°N 1.970285°W		The castle was originally built in the 11th century in timber Timber Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S... , with a square keep Keep A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...  added in stone in 1107. The castle was of primarily local significance, being relatively small. During the Anarchy The Anarchy The Anarchy or The Nineteen-Year Winter was a period of English history during the reign of King Stephen, which was characterised by civil war and unsettled government...  of the 12th century, the castle was seized in the early years of the conflict by Robert, Earl of Gloucester Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester Robert Fitzroy, 1st Earl of Gloucester was an illegitimate son of King Henry I of England. He was called "Rufus" and occasionally "de Caen", he is also known as Robert "the Consul"...  on behalf of the Empress Matilda Empress Matilda Empress Matilda , also known as Matilda of England or Maude, was the daughter and heir of King Henry I of England. Matilda and her younger brother, William Adelin, were the only legitimate children of King Henry to survive to adulthood... . In 1142 King Stephen Stephen of England Stephen , often referred to as Stephen of Blois , was a grandson of William the Conqueror. He was King of England from 1135 to his death, and also the Count of Boulogne by right of his wife. Stephen's reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda...  seized the castle in a surprise attack, setting fire to it afterwards.
English Bicknor Castle English Bicknor Castle English Bicknor Castle was a castle in the village of English Bicknor in Gloucestershire, England.The castle was built in the 11th century as a motte and bailey design, although some suggest a later construction date in the early 12th century. The motte lay at the centre of two concentric outer...	Motte and bailey, 11th century		English Bicknor English Bicknor English Bicknor is a village and civil parish in the Forest of Dean district of west Gloucestershire, England. According to the United Kingdom Census 2001 the population is 406. The village is close to the county border with Herefordshire, opposite which is the village of Welsh Bicknor... 51.838779°N 2.608822°W		The castle's motte lay at the centre of two concentric outer bailey walls, producing a roughly circular castle approximately 150 yards across. The motte was placed against the south-west corner of the site, where the ground fell away from the castle, giving additional protection from attack. A square stone keep Keep A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...  may have been built at a later stage on the motte. At the start of years of the Anarchy The Anarchy The Anarchy or The Nineteen-Year Winter was a period of English history during the reign of King Stephen, which was characterised by civil war and unsettled government...  the castle was controlled by the powerful Miles de Gloucester Miles de Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford Miles de Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford, Lord of Brecknock was the son of Walter de Gloucester, who served as hereditary sheriff of that county between 1104 and 1121.... . The castle escaped destruction at the end of the conflict and was still in use at the beginning of the 13th century; its exact date of final ruin is unknown.
Glasshouse Woods	Ringwork, 11th century		Glasshouse51.889079°N 2.413343°W		An early Norman fortification, designed to act in conjunction with the castles of Little Dean Camp and Howle Hill Camp as a screen to protect the city of Gloucester Gloucester Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....  from military threats from Wales.
Gloucester Castle Gloucester Castle Gloucester Castle was a castle in the cathedral city of Gloucester in the county of Gloucestershire.- Early Norman Motte & Bailey Castle :It began as a motte castle during the reign of William the Conqueror when 16 houses were demolished to make way for it. It was enlarged by William Rufus who...	Motte and bailey, 11th century	Destroyed, covered by modern Gloucester Prison	Gloucester Gloucester Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham.... 51.863464°N 2.250462°W		Built after the Conquest, the castle was enlarged by William Rufus and placed in the custody of the sheriff of the county, Roger of Gloucester Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester Robert Fitzroy, 1st Earl of Gloucester was an illegitimate son of King Henry I of England. He was called "Rufus" and occasionally "de Caen", he is also known as Robert "the Consul"... . By 1112 Walter de Gloucester Walter de Gloucester Walter de Gloucester was an early Norman official of the King of England during the early years of the Norman conquest of the South Welsh Marches.-Titles:...  had built a new castle west of Barbican hill. During the Anarchy, Miles of Gloucester held the castle for Empress Matilda, and the castle was used to hold Stephen initially after his capture at the battle of Lincoln Battle of Lincoln (1141) The Battle of Lincoln or First Battle of Lincoln occurred on 2 February 1141. In it Stephen of England was captured, imprisoned and effectively deposed while Empress Matilda ruled for a short time.-Account:...  in 1141. Henry III often used it as a residence, and it played an important role in the barons' war Second Barons' War The Second Barons' War was a civil war in England between the forces of a number of barons led by Simon de Montfort, against the Royalist forces led by Prince Edward , in the name of Henry III.-Causes:... . By 1228 the castle was acting as the county goal. In the mid-15th century the castle ceased to be maintained as a fortress and was demolished to make way for a new prison during 1787-91.
Hailes Castle Hailes Castle, Stanway Hailes Castle was a castle in the village of Stanway, Gloucestershire in Gloucestershire, England.The castle was built around the 11th or early 12th century near the church of St Peters' in the village. The castle was moated, although this has since been filled in...	Unknown, 11th or 12th century	Destroyed, covered by ruins of Hailes Abbey Hailes Abbey Hailes Abbey is two miles northeast of Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, England.The abbey was founded in 1245 or 1246 by Richard, Earl of Cornwall, called "King of the Romans" and the younger brother of King Henry III of England. He was granted the manor of Hailes by Henry, and settled it with...	Stanway Stanway -People:* Mark Stanway , a British musician* Peter Powers , a British television personality who purports to be a hypnotist-Other:* Stanway House, a Jacobean manor house near Stanway, Gloucestershire... 51.9698°N 1.92645°W		The castle was built near the church of St Peters' in the village of Stanway. The castle was moated, although this has since been filled in. The castle was strengthened by Ralph of Worcester at the start of the difficult years of the Anarchy The Anarchy The Anarchy or The Nineteen-Year Winter was a period of English history during the reign of King Stephen, which was characterised by civil war and unsettled government... , with Hailes Castle playing a role in the conflict between 1139-45. The castle was probably demolished in the 1240s to make way for the construction of Hailes Abbey Hailes Abbey Hailes Abbey is two miles northeast of Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, England.The abbey was founded in 1245 or 1246 by Richard, Earl of Cornwall, called "King of the Romans" and the younger brother of King Henry III of England. He was granted the manor of Hailes by Henry, and settled it with... .
Haresfield Mount	Motte and bailey, probable 12th century	Earthworks	Haresfield51.793277°N 2.276172°W		The castle has a square design, approximately 50m across, with a motte in the centre that was once at least 10 ft tall. The castle may have been owned by Earl Miles of Gloucester. Only earthworks now remain.
Holme Castle	Unknown, 11th century	Earthworks	Tewkesbury Tewkesbury Tewkesbury is a town in Gloucestershire, England. It stands at the confluence of the River Severn and the River Avon, and also minor tributaries the Swilgate and Carrant Brook... 51.988133°N 2.162518°W		By the 12th century this castle was owned by the Earls of Gloucester. In the 12th and 13th centuries the castle had "buildings of aristocratic proportions", but fell into disuse thereafter. Only limited earthworks still remain.
Lasborough	Motte, 11th century	Earthworks	Lasborough51.645867°N 2.256486°W		The castle has a motte Motte Motte may be:*Motte-and-bailey, a type of construction used in castles*Isaac Motte, an 18th century American statesman*La Motte , various places with this name-See also:* Mote * Mott...  40 m wide, with no evidence of a bailey. It was probably intended to operate in conjunction with the nearby castle at Newington Bagpath.
Little Camp Hill	Keep with baileys, 12th century	Earthworks	Lydney Lydney Lydney is a small town and civil parish in the English county of Gloucestershire. It is located on the west bank of the River Severn, close to the Forest of Dean. The town lies on the A48 road, next to the Lydney Park gardens with its Roman temple in honour of Nodens.-Transport:The Severn Railway... 51.719463°N 2.555104°W		A Norman castle with inner and outer baileys and a square, stone keep Keep A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the... , protected by the natural shape of the hill, all now destroyed.
Littledean Camp Littledean Camp Littledean was a castle near the village of Lydney in Gloucestershire, England, notable for its unique early Norman design.Although once thought to have had Roman origins, 20th century archaeology has shown that the castle was built in the 11th century following the Norman invasion of 1066. The...	Ringwork with motte, 11th century	Earthworks	Lydney Lydney Lydney is a small town and civil parish in the English county of Gloucestershire. It is located on the west bank of the River Severn, close to the Forest of Dean. The town lies on the A48 road, next to the Lydney Park gardens with its Roman temple in honour of Nodens.-Transport:The Severn Railway... 51.719463°N 2.555104°W		This Norman castle was intended both to protecting the local villages and probably intended to operate with the castles at Glasshouse Woods and Howle Hill Camp as a screen to protect the city of Gloucester Gloucester Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....  from military threats from Wales. The castle itself is circular and relatively small, some 60 ft in diameter, with an inner and an outer bailey, the latter protected by a very tall vallum Vallum Vallum is a term applied either to the whole or a portion of the fortifications of a Roman camp. The vallum usually comprised an earthen or turf rampart with a wooden palisade on top, with a deep outer ditch...  wall. The outer wall was originally 15 ft tall. Uniquely for a castle of this period the outer wall has a motte Motte Motte may be:*Motte-and-bailey, a type of construction used in castles*Isaac Motte, an 18th century American statesman*La Motte , various places with this name-See also:* Mote * Mott...  integrated into the design, rather than located at the centre of the castle. Littledean castle was only occupied briefly.
Miserden Castle Miserden Castle Miserden Castle was a castle near the village of Miserden in Gloucestershire, England.The castle is a large motte and bailey Norman castle, built before 1146 by Robert Musard, after whose family the local village is named. The castle overlooks the River Frome and included a 60 ft wide shell...	Motte and bailey with shell-keep, early 12th century	Earthworks and limited masonry	Miserden Miserden Miserden is a village and civil parish in Stroud District, Gloucestershire, England, 4 miles north east of Stroud. The parish includes Whiteway Colony and the hamlets of Sudgrove and The Camp... 51.781885°N 2.081859°W		The castle was built by Robert Musard overlooking the river Frome and included a 60 ft wide shell keep Shell keep A shell keep is a style of medieval fortification, best described as a stone structure circling the top of a motte.In English castle morphology, shell keeps are perceived as the successors to motte-and-bailey castles, with the wooden fence around the top of the motte replaced by a stone wall... , protected by a stone wall and a moat. The castle is positioned on a rocky spur and would have been protected by a wet moat, further strengthening the considerable defences. Musard was killed by forces loyal to King Stephen Stephen of England Stephen , often referred to as Stephen of Blois , was a grandson of William the Conqueror. He was King of England from 1135 to his death, and also the Count of Boulogne by right of his wife. Stephen's reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda...  during the years of the Anarchy The Anarchy The Anarchy or The Nineteen-Year Winter was a period of English history during the reign of King Stephen, which was characterised by civil war and unsettled government...  and the castle seized by Philip of Gloucester, but the castle survived into at least the 13th century.
Newington Bagpath Motte Bagpath Newington Bagpath is a hamlet in Gloucestershire, England, set in the Ozleworth valley, near the village of Kingscote and forms part of its Civil Parish...	Motte, 11th or early 12th century	Earthworks	Bagpath Bagpath Newington Bagpath is a hamlet in Gloucestershire, England, set in the Ozleworth valley, near the village of Kingscote and forms part of its Civil Parish... 51.651239°N 2.266635°W		The castle was built on steep, prominent ground, and comprised a 150 ft wide motte Motte Motte may be:*Motte-and-bailey, a type of construction used in castles*Isaac Motte, an 18th century American statesman*La Motte , various places with this name-See also:* Mote * Mott...  and keep Keep A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the... . The castle had no bailey, but possessed a possible small gatehouse to the north. It was probably intended to operate in conjunction with the nearby castle at Lasborough.
Newnham on Severn Castle House	Ringwork, 11th century	Earthworks	Newnham on Severn Newnham on Severn Newnham on Severn is a village in west Gloucestershire, England. It lies near the Royal Forest of Dean, on the west bank of the River Severn, approximately 10 miles south-west of Gloucester and three miles southeast of Cinderford, at . It is on the A48 road between Gloucester and Chepstow,... 51.801411°N 2.451623°W		An 11th century Norman ringwork, at maximum 190 ft across, and abandoned by the 12th century. Only earthworks remain.
Ruardean Castle	Fortified manor house, 13th century	Earthworks and limited masonry	Ruardean Ruardean Ruardean is a village in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England, to the west of Cinderford. It is situated on a hillside with views west towards the mountains of South Wales. Little now remains of the village's industrial history, but once it was a centre for iron ore smelting furnaces,... 51.857709°N 2.553392°W		Alexander de Bykemore was granted a license to crenellate the castle in 1310. The manor included a courtyard, internal buildings, a gatehouse and a curtain wall. It is possible that the original 13th century structure may have more closely resembled a Norman castle than a manor house. It was positioned on a spur above two valleys, surrounded by additional earthworks probably built as part of the same manor project.
South Cerney Castle	Motte and bailey, mid-12th century	Earthworks	South Cerney South Cerney South Cerney is a village and civil parish in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, 3 miles south of Cirencester and close to the border with Wiltshire. It had a population of 3,074 according to the 2001 census... 51.677822°N 1.933358°W		A small Norman castle, built by Miles of Gloucester Miles de Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford Miles de Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford, Lord of Brecknock was the son of Walter de Gloucester, who served as hereditary sheriff of that county between 1104 and 1121....  during the Anarchy The Anarchy The Anarchy or The Nineteen-Year Winter was a period of English history during the reign of King Stephen, which was characterised by civil war and unsettled government...  to protect the strategically useful village of South Cerney along the river Churn River Churn The River Churn is one of the Cotswold rivers that feeds into the River Thames catchment. It arises at Seven Springs near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England and flows south across the Cotswold dip slope, passing through Cirencester and joining the River Thames near Cricklade in Wiltshire... . Stephen Stephen of England Stephen , often referred to as Stephen of Blois , was a grandson of William the Conqueror. He was King of England from 1135 to his death, and also the Count of Boulogne by right of his wife. Stephen's reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda... 's forces captured the castle in 1139. The subsequent fate of the castle is unknown and only slight earthwork remains exist today.
Stow Green Stow Green, St Briavels Stow Green Castle, also known as Castle Tump, was a castle near the village of St Briavels in Gloucestershire, England.The castle is believed to have been built after the Norman Conquest. The castle was a small circular ring-motte fortification, once measuring 35 yards across, now only 25 yards,...	Ring-motte, 11th century	11th century, earthworks	St Briavels St Briavels St Briavels is a medium sized village and civil parish in the Royal Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire, England; close to the England-Wales border, and south of Coleford. It stands almost above sea level on the edge of a limestone plateau above the valley of the River Wye, above an ancient... 51.755038°N 2.632323°W		The castle is a small circular fortification, once measuring 35 yards across, now only 25 yards, with a high motte Motte Motte may be:*Motte-and-bailey, a type of construction used in castles*Isaac Motte, an 18th century American statesman*La Motte , various places with this name-See also:* Mote * Mott... , or mound, in the middle and a protective ditch around it. The entrance to the castle was on the south side of the fortification. The castle would have defended the Stowe valley, and was probably a precursor to the later St Briavels Castle in the same area.
St Briavels Castle	Square keep and bailey, between 1075–1129	Largely intact, owned by English Heritage English Heritage English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...  and used as a Youth Hostel Hostel Hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available... .	St Briavels St Briavels St Briavels is a medium sized village and civil parish in the Royal Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire, England; close to the England-Wales border, and south of Coleford. It stands almost above sea level on the edge of a limestone plateau above the valley of the River Wye, above an ancient... 51.7388°N 2.642233°W		St Briavels was constructed by Walter Walter de Gloucester Walter de Gloucester was an early Norman official of the King of England during the early years of the Norman conquest of the South Welsh Marches.-Titles:...  and Miles de Gloucester Miles de Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford Miles de Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford, Lord of Brecknock was the son of Walter de Gloucester, who served as hereditary sheriff of that county between 1104 and 1121....  on behalf of the crown as the administrative centre of the Forest of Dean Forest of Dean The Forest of Dean is a geographical, historical and cultural region in the western part of the county of Gloucestershire, England. The forest is a roughly triangular plateau bounded by the River Wye to the west and north, the River Severn to the south, and the City of Gloucester to the east.The... . It was held by Miles on behalf of Empress Matilda during the Anarchy and retained by Henry II after 1153 as a royal castle. In the 13th century the castle became first a favourite hunting lodge of King John, and then the primary centre in England for the manufacture of crossbow Crossbow A crossbow is a weapon consisting of a bow mounted on a stock that shoots projectiles, often called bolts or quarrels. The medieval crossbow was called by many names, most of which derived from the word ballista, a torsion engine resembling a crossbow in appearance.Historically, crossbows played a...  quarrel Quarrel A quarrel or bolt is the term for the ammunition used in a crossbow. The name "quarrel" is derived from the French carré, "square", referring to the fact that they typically have square heads. Although their length varies, they are typically shorter than traditional arrows.Bolts and arrows have... s. The castle slowly declined and by the 1830s was a notorious debtors' prison.
Sudeley Castle Sudeley Castle Sudeley Castle is a castle located near Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, England. It dates from the 10th century, but the inhabited portion is chiefly Elizabethan. The castle has a notable garden, which is designed and maintained to a very high standard. The chapel, St. Mary's Sudeley, is the burial...	Mid-12th century fortified manor house	Intact, privately owned and open to the public	Winchcombe Winchcombe Winchcombe is a Cotswold town in the local authority district of Tewkesbury, in Gloucestershire, England. Its population according to the 2001 census was 4,379.-Early history:... 51.947338°N 1.957039°W		The castle was originally created by John de Sudeley, who fortified an existing manor house at the start of the Anarchy. John held the castle in support of the Empress, and in 1139 the castle was seized and later destroyed by Stephen, although the local manor farm remained. A new castle was rebuilt adjacent to the original building in the late 15th century in a more substantial style, but was slighted Slighting A slighting is the deliberate destruction, partial or complete, of a fortification without opposition. During the English Civil War this was to render it unusable as a fort.-Middle Ages:...  following the English Civil War English Civil War The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...  in 1649. The current castle is the result of extensive Victorian restoration.
Taynton Castle	Ring-motte, 11th or 12th century	Earthworks	Taynton51.888174°N 2.414788°W		A Norman castle, roughly 25m across.
Upper Slaughter Castle	Motte and bailey, mid-12th century	Earthworks	Upper Slaughter Upper Slaughter Upper Slaughter is a village in the English county of Gloucestershire located in the Cotswold district located south west of the town of Stow-on-the-Wold. Nearby places include Lower Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water and Daylesford.... 51.907569°N 1.773921°W		The castle during the Anarchy The Anarchy The Anarchy or The Nineteen-Year Winter was a period of English history during the reign of King Stephen, which was characterised by civil war and unsettled government... , making use of raised ground and incorporating part of the church of St Peters into the fortification. The castle was approximately 22m wide.
Weston Park	Motte and bailey, 11th or 12th century	Earthworks	Weston Park52.052415°N 1.830066°W		The castle's 8 ft high motte, or mound, remains on this site.
Winchcombe Castle Winchcombe Castle Winchcome Castle was a castle in the town of Winchcombe in Gloucestershire, England.The motte and bailey castle was built during the chaos of the Anarchy in the 12th century. The castle was built either in 1140 or 1144 in the north-east of Winchcombe, then a key region of the conflict, and rested...	Motte and bailey, 1140 or 1144.	Destroyed, covered by modern Winchcombe	Winchcombe Winchcombe Winchcombe is a Cotswold town in the local authority district of Tewkesbury, in Gloucestershire, England. Its population according to the 2001 census was 4,379.-Early history:... 51.951837°N 1.96722°W		The castle was built during the chaos of the Anarchy The Anarchy The Anarchy or The Nineteen-Year Winter was a period of English history during the reign of King Stephen, which was characterised by civil war and unsettled government...  in the north-east of Winchcombe, then a key region of the conflict, and rested on a high motte Motte Motte may be:*Motte-and-bailey, a type of construction used in castles*Isaac Motte, an 18th century American statesman*La Motte , various places with this name-See also:* Mote * Mott... , or mound. The castle was built by Roger, Earl of Hereford Roger Fitzmiles, 2nd Earl of Hereford Roger Fitzmiles, 2nd Earl of Hereford, was born some time before 1125 and, according to the Hereford Cathedral Book of Obits, died on 22 September 1155... , a supporter of the Empress Matilda Empress Matilda Empress Matilda , also known as Matilda of England or Maude, was the daughter and heir of King Henry I of England. Matilda and her younger brother, William Adelin, were the only legitimate children of King Henry to survive to adulthood... , but was attacked in late 1144 by forces loyal to King Stephen Stephen of England Stephen , often referred to as Stephen of Blois , was a grandson of William the Conqueror. He was King of England from 1135 to his death, and also the Count of Boulogne by right of his wife. Stephen's reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda... in a direct assault. The castle was destroyed after the attack and was not rebuilt.