Bampton Castle, Devon
| Bampton Castle | |
|
Devon | |
|---|---|
 Remains of motte | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SS959225 |
| Location: | 50°59’33"N, 3°29’5"W |
| Village: | Bampton |
| History | |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Ruined |
Bampton Castle in the parish of Bampton in Devon was the seat of the feudal barony of Bampton. Now little remains of their fortress.
History
In Anglo-Saxon, times a defensive mound was built here. On this mound the Normans built a wooden castle about 1067 to consolidate their land gains following the Conquest of 1066. In 1136 the castle was besieged by King Stephen and the fortifications were burnt down.
Later, a stone mansion was built on the motte, and in 1336 the lord of the manor, Richard Cogan, obtained a royal licence to crenellate it and surround it with a stone and mortar wall. It is believed that in 1607 part of the building fell down due to an earthquake.
Since then the stonework has all been removed but the motte survives as a prominent mound on the outskirts of the village.[1]