Heywood Castle
| Heywood Castle | |
|
Devon | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SS67931248 |
| Location: | 51°6’6"N, 3°58’28"W |
| Village: | Wembworthy |
| History | |
| Built Norman period | |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Earthworks remain |
Heywood Castle is the remains of a Norman castle in mid-Devon standing in a commanding location overlooking the valley of the River Taw.
The monument survives as a circular motte, rock-cut ditch and crescent shaped bailey with an outer bank,[1] providing important archaeological information relating to Norman military activity in this part of Devon, and it is a popular destination for educational groups and visitors to the area. This is one of two castles from the same period to survive in the area.
The motte has a diameter of 160 feet and is 26 feet high. On top of the motte is a ring bank which attains a height of up to twelve feet in places and is up to six feet wide. The central enclosed area has a small linear bank running from north to south within it, which measures 11 feet wide and up to 6 feet high and runs across the top of the mound.
The rock-cut ditch which surrounds the foot of the motte is 13 feet wide and six feet deep. The crescent shaped bailey lies to the north east of the motte, is 200 feet long by 130 feet wide and bounded on all sides by a bank.
The castle is thought to date to the 1130s and 1140s and the fact that two are so close together may reflect the antagonism of the Anarchy in the reign of King Stephen, or replacement of one by the other.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 National Heritage List 1020959: Heywood Castle