Powderham Castle, Hampshire
| Powderham Castle | |
|
Hampshire | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SU80264687 |
| Location: | 51°12’55"N, -0°51’8"W |
| Village: | Crondall |
| History | |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Earthworks remain |
Powderham Castle, otherwise known as Powder Castle, stood close by the village of Crondall in Hampshire, close by the county's eastern border with Surrey. Today the earthworks of the castle remain, which are a scheduled ancient monument.[1]
The castle was a small one, built in the 12th century by the Bishop of Winchester. It is believed to have been built in in 1147, during The Anarchy in the reign of King Stephen, as a siege-castle to nearby Barley Pound. Like Barley Pound, Powderham was originally an earth and timber ringwork fortress, encased by a ditch and with a counterscarp bank.
It is nine miles south-east of Odiham Castle.
Due to the demolition of its encasing rampart, the ringwork now resembles a low flat-topped motte. It now also has a dense cover of trees. Excavations on the mound have uncovered post-holes and large flints which may indicate former buildings.
Encased by the remnants of a ditch with an outer bank, the near-circular motte with its uneven summit is built of sand containing large flints. There are indications of a north-western bailey and the possible remains of buildings of an unknown date. With the dense cover of trees, its best view is in winter..[2]
References
- ↑ National Heritage List 1001912: Powderham castle (Scheduled ancient monument entry)
- ↑ Powderham Castle, Hampshire: CastleUK