MEDIEVAL CASTLES

 

 

The constant wars with France and French raids during the mid fourteenth century led to further fortifications in Sussex. A number of royal licences were granted during this time to fortify manors or build castles.

 

Amberley Castle.

Near Arundel. The castle was originally a manor house belonging to the Bishops of Chichester in the twelfth century. It was crenellated in 1377 by Bishop Rede to protect the nearby Arun river, which was then navigable to this point. The massive curtain wall on the north side rises impressively from the marshes of Amberley Wild Brooks whilst, to the south, the main entrance is along a causeway with twin circular towers and a drawbridge over a dry moat. Inside, the Great Hall dates from the fourteenth century. During the Civil War the castle was sacked; it was later reoccupied as a private residence, which it remains today.

 

Amberley Castle

 

Bodiam Castle.

Bodiam, Robertsbridge TN32 5UA. Telephone: Staplecross (058 083) 436. National Trust. Meated, picturesque and impressive, Bodiam presents the ideal picture of a castle. The castle is square with round towers at each corner and has strongly defended gateways; the massive curtain walls rise sheer from the moat. Built in 1387 at the peak of castle building technology, it incorporated all the up-to-date features, including arrow slits with cannon ports. These weapons were to bring an end to the military role of traditional castles. Like Amberley, it was designed to protect a then navigable river, in this case the Rother. It was probably never used in anger and in 1644 it was taken by Parliamentary forces and dismantled and left ruinous.

Bodiam Castle from the air

In 1829 'Mad Jack' Fuller of Brightling bought the castle to stop further damage, and later it was bought by Lord Curzon, who undertook extensive repairs and then bequeathed it to the National Trust. Little remains of the interior buildings, but much of the walls, gatehouse and towers is accessible.

 

Herstmonceux Castle.

Herstmonceux, Hailsham. An especially beautiful castle, Herstmonceux is one of the earliest examples of a large brick building in Britain. It is believed that Flemish brickmakers were brought over to supervise the work. Built about fifty years later than Bodiam, in 1441, by Sir Roger de Fiennes, a veteran of Agincourt, Herstmonceux was much more a defended private house than a serious fortification. Apart from the high walls and the moat, the defences were concentrated in the fortified gateway, which was equipped with cannon; it was never attacked or besieged.

Herstmonceux Castle

In 1776 the interior was demolished to build nearby Herstmonceux Place, and by Victorian times the castle was a "romantic ruin". Rebuilding and restoration were started in 1910 and in 1946 the castle became the home of the Royal Greenwich Observatory, which was forced to leave the smog of London. Dotted around the grounds are the domes of the telescopes, which contrast strangely with the castle. Apart from two small exhibition rooms, the interior of the castle is not open to the public, but the grounds of over 200 acres (80)are and include formal gardens, woodlands and grasslands. The exhibitions show the work of the observatory, a history of astronomy and a short history of the castle.

 

Herstmonceux Castle; Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 IRP tel 0132383 3816

 

 

Very picturesque moated castle. There is now a university in the castle and admission is by guided tour only. Also grounds and gardens.

 

Approximately 10 miles north east of Eastbourne.. From A22 at Hailsham take the A271.

 

Opening Times: Easter-Oct 10-6

Admission Prices: Grounds and gardens £3 with additional £2.50 for guided tour of castle

 

 

 

 

 

 

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