Sherborne Old Castle
| Sherborne Old Castle | |
|
Dorset | |
|---|---|
 The ruins of the castle | |
| Location | |
| Location: | 50°56’58"N, 2°30’9"W |
| Village: | Sherborne |
| History | |
| Key events: | Civil War |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Ruins |
| Owned by: | Wingfield Digby family (in the care of English Heritage) |
| Website: | Sherborne Old Castle |
Sherborne Old Castle is the ruin of a 12th-century castle in the grounds of the mansion which replced it in the early modern age: Sherborne Castle. While the new castle and estate remain in family ownership, by the Wingfield Digby family, the old castle ruins are in the care of English Heritage.
The old castle was built as the fortified palace of Roger de Caen, Bishop of Salisbury and Chancellor of England and still belonged to the Church in the late 16th century.
After the Reformation the castle passed to the Crown and was left uninhabited. Queen Elizabeth I granted it to Sir Walter Raleigh, who built Sherborne Lodge close by for his occasional habitation. Forfeit to the Crown on Sir Walter's conviction for treason, it was sold to the Digbys, which family retains ownership.
In the Civil War, In the Civil War, Lord Digby fortified the old castle and held it for the King. General Fairfax, the Parliamentary commander took it in 1645 and left the castle in ruins. It was never restored.
The castle is today held on lease by English Heritage and opened to visitors as a tourist attraction.
Outside links
- Sherborne Old Castle – English Heritage