he abbey of Cluny was founded by William I of Aquitaine, also known as William the Pious. The abbey is located in the south of France in the area called Burgundy. It's founding abbot was a man called Berno, who used the strict Benedict Rule to base the rules of the new abbey upon.Locations
Locations
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Locations of lesser places
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Abbey of Cluny
he abbey of Cluny was founded by William I of Aquitaine, also known as William the Pious. The abbey is located in the south of France in the area called Burgundy. It's founding abbot was a man called Berno, who used the strict Benedict Rule to base the rules of the new abbey upon.| County | TBC | Categories | TBC |
| Remains | TBC | Access | TBC - Please check before visiting |
Timeline
910
The abbey of Cluny was founded by William I, Duke of Aquitaine (d.918). The abbey became the founding member of a new Order of Monks known as the Cluniacs. All of Cluny's daughter houses sent money back to the abbey and it became very rich. ¹
1088
Urban II was elected Pope in 1088. His real name was Odo of Lagery and chose the name Urban when he became Pope. He had at first been a monk at the abbey at Cluny from 1070 and had become a prior there.
Abbotsbury Abbey
his Dorset abbey was founded by Orc, a steward of Canute, and his wife Tola. Orc also became a steward of Edward the Confessor and in Edward's reign the abbey was populated with Benedictine monks. At the Suppression of the Monasteries the abbey was closed and the buildings robbed for their stone. Very little remains of the main church buildings but a large medieval barn the size of a church still exists. Also nearby, on a hill overlooking the sea, is a chapel dedicated to St. Catherine that was built in the fifteenth century.| County | Dorset (7 castles) | Categories | |
| Remains | Small amount survives | Access | At any reasonable time |
| Location | 50.664725,-2.598341 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Timeline
1044
The abbey was founded in Dorset on the Dorset coast was founded by Orc, a steward of Canute.
Aber Cafwy Castle
lso known as Trefenty Castle. Remains of a motte and bailey castle.| County | Conwy (6 castles) | Categories | Motte & Bailey |
| Remains | Just the motte remains | Access | Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 51.79505,-4.470926 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Aber Castle
ust the artificial mound remains of was once possibly a motte and bailey castle. Aber Castle was also known as Mwd Castle and is thought to have been built or improved upon by Llywelyn the Great, the powerful Welsh leader who died in 1240. | County | Gwynedd (7 castles) | Categories | Motte & Bailey |
| Remains | Just the motte remains | Access | At any reasonable time |
| Location | 53.233967,-4.014414 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Location Map (click to explore)
Aber Lleiniog Castle
otte and earthwork remains of a medieval castle. Located on the north-east corner of Anglesey and a few miles away from Beaumaris Castle. The castle was constructed by Hugh d'Avranches the Earl of Chester in around 1088. The castle was attacked and burned by Gruffudd ap Cynan in 1094.| County | Isle of Anglesey (2 castles) | Categories | Motte & Bailey |
| Remains | Just the motte remains | Access | Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 53.292608,-4.077219 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Location Map (click to explore)
Timeline
1088
Hugh of Avranches, Earl of Chester, constructed the motte and bailey castle on the island of Anglesey.
1094
The castle of Abr Lleiniog was attacked and burned by Gruffudd ap Cynan.
Abercorn Castle
his Scottish castle was the property of Walter Avenale in the twelfth century, but a dispute with the Bishop of Dunkeld saw the castle and surrounding area passed to the Church. Other owners included John Grahame friend of William Wallace. The castle was destroyed in 1455 when King James II besieged it trapping the 'Black Douglases' inside. After this the castle was left in ruin.| County | West Lothian (1 castle) | Categories | Motte & Bailey / Baronial castle |
| Remains | Just the motte remains | Access | Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 55.99875,-3.471858 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Aberdour Castle
berdour Castle, one of the earliest castles to be built in Scotland, can be found in the village of the same name and is located on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth. The remains show evidence of several periods of construction starting with a large off-square keep which has two chambers on the ground floor with a thick centre wall. This was most likely constructed in the fourteenth century. The next period of construction was orchestrated by the Regent Morton towards the end of the sixteeen century, who built new accomodation to the south east of the original keep and connected to it. Several more periods of construction followed adding more accommodation each connected to its predecessor. The castle is open to the public and sections of interest include the dovecote and terraced gardens.| County | Fife (1 castle) | Categories | Stone / Baronial castle |
| Remains | Not complete but much survives | Access | Only open at certain times |
| Location | 56.055,-3.2984 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Aberedw Castle
his is the Welsh castle where Llywelyn, the Prince of Wales was killed in 1282. The castle was built in the thirteen century and consisted of a square enclosure with four round towers at the corners. It replaced an older motte and bailey castle located nearby. Not much of the castle now remains as it was badly damaged when a railway line was built on its edge and stone from the walls were used as balast for the tracks.| County | Powys (11 castles) | Categories | Baronial castle |
| Remains | Small amount survives | Access | No Access - Private |
| Location | 52.11715,-3.35035 (Google Maps) | Directions | N/A |
Aberrheidol Castle
berrheidol Castle was a ring-work and bailey castle and the forerunner of Aberystwyth Castle which is located a short distance away. It was built by Gilbert fitz Richard in around 1110. | County | Ceredigion (5 castles) | Categories | TBC |
| Remains | TBC | Access | TBC - Please check before visiting |
Abingdon Abbey
emains of a Benedictine abbey located on the northern bank on the River Thames to the west of London. Possibly founded in around 675 and then destoyed by Danish invaders. Was rebuilt in the reign of King Edred. Rioters attacked and caused much damage in 1327. Nothing of the main abbey remains, but some of the outer buildings have survived in parts.| County | Berkshire (2 castles) | Categories | |
| Remains | Very little if any at all | Access | Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 51.671,-1.277 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Timeline
1071
The Abbot of Abingdon was imprisoned at Wallingford Castle. ¹
1327
Rioters attacked and looted Abingdon Abbey causing large amounts of damage.
Abinger Castle
inor remains of a motte and bailey castle.| County | Surrey (4 castles) | Categories | Motte & Bailey |
| Remains | Just the motte remains | Access | Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 51.20236,-0.406856 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Acre Castle
emains of a motte and bailey castle. The bailey gate survives and the castle eathworks. Free to access and under the care of English Heritage.| County | Norfolk (6 castles) | Categories | Pre Medieval / Motte & Bailey / Stone |
| Remains | Earthworks only | Access | At any reasonable time |
| Comments | While here visit Castle Acre Priory just down the road. | ||
| Location | 52.70387,0.692299 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Acton Burnell Castle
cton Burnell Castle is located in the village of Acton Burnell a few miles from Shrewsbury. Built by Edward Burnell in around 1284 who was the Lord Chancellor of Edward I. The ruins can be seen next to the village church. The ownership of the castle went to King Henry VII in 1486 after the battle of Stoke and later the castle was given to the Earl of Surrey by Henry VIII.| County | Shropshire (13 castles) | Categories | Fortified Manor House |
| Remains | Small amount survives | Access | At any reasonable time |
| Comments | Maintained by English Heritage and is free to access. | ||
| Location | 52.61286,-2.689676 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Location Map (click to explore)
Aldford Castle
emains of a motte and bailey castle alongside the river in Aldford just south of Chester.| County | Cheshire (4 castles) | Categories | Motte & Bailey |
| Remains | Just the motte remains | Access | Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 53.13038,-2.869794 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Allesley castle
ocation of a motte and bailey castle just to the north of Coventry city centre. Nothing now remains.| County | West Midlands (2 castles) | Categories | Motte & Bailey |
| Remains | Very little if any at all | Access | Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 52.419128,-1.561339 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Allington Castle
ossibly a castle existed on the site at the time of Henry III but in 1281 the owner at the time was given a licence to crenellate and fortify the structure.This was Sir Stephen de Pencester the constable of Dover and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. The castle was defended by a wide moat that was fed from the River Medway. In 1492 the castle passed into the hands of the Wyatt family. Born at the castle were Sir Thomas Wyatt in 1503, a poet, and his son also called Thomas who was involved in a rebellion against Queen Mary in 1554. Wyatt's rebellion as it is known ended in failure and he was executed on 11th April, 1554. | County | Kent (13 castles) | Categories | Fortified Manor House / Baronial castle |
| Remains | Not complete but much survives | Access | No Access - Private |
| Comments | The castle has a wide moat fed by the River Medway Privately owned castle and no access. | ||
| Location | 51.29328,0.511395 (Google Maps) | Directions | N/A |
Location Map (click to explore)
Almondbury Castle
he hill on which the remains of the castle stand is a natural outcrop of rock. The site was used prior to the medieval period as well as by the Normans.| County | West Yorkshire (2 castles) | Categories | Pre Medieval |
| Remains | Earthworks only | Access | At any reasonable time |
| Location | 53.62232,-1.77167 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Alnwick Abbey
ounded in 1147. A short distance to the north west of Alnwick Castle, now within the grounds of Hulne Park, only the gatehouse remains of this once large building. The gound plan can be seen. The builder of the abbey was Eustace fitz John, who owned the nearby castle. Premonstratensian Cannons populated the abbey coming from Newhouse (or Newsham) Abbey in Lincolnshire. The order had only been founded in 1120 a few years earlier and Alnwick Abbey may have been the second of the foundations that the Premonstratensians built in England. Alnwick was dedicated to St. Mary and was richly endowed. In 1265, after the battle of Evesham, it is said that the foot of Simon de Montfort was taken to the abbey and became a relic that was greatly valued.| County | Northumberland (15 castles) | Categories | TBC |
| Remains | TBC | Access | TBC - Please check before visiting |
Timeline
1147
Alnwick Abbey was founded by Eustace fitz John, the owner of Alnwick Castle.
Alvecote Priory
he remains of a small priory populated by Benedictine monks. Located a few miles to the east of Tamworth Castle. The priory was founded by Sir Thomas Burdett, who after returning from the Crusades, killed his wife when he heard false rumours about her spread by an evil steward. After the death of his wife and learning the truth about the false accusations Sir Thomas vowed to found the religious community.| County | Warwickshire (8 castles) | Categories | TBC |
| Remains | TBC | Access | TBC - Please check before visiting |
Amberley Castle
privately owned castle now a restaurant and hotel. Like Arundel Castle a few miles to the south, Amberley Castle was built near the River Arun. The curtain wall at Amberley was built by its owner at the time Bishop Rede in around 1378. This was at a time when the threat of invasion from France was very real and the river was a potential invasion route that the French could use. The curtain wall is roughly rectangular and has a strong gatehouse with two towers each side of the entrance. Marshland and a moat protected the castle from attack.| County | West Sussex (5 castles) | Categories | Fortified Manor House |
| Remains | Not complete but much survives | Access | Only open at certain times |
| Comments | This is now a hotel so you would probably have to be a guest to explore the remains. It looks expensive. | ||
| Location | 50.90915,-0.540636 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Location Map (click to explore)
Angle Castle
emains of a peel tower. The castle is on private land.| County | Pembrokeshire (12 castles) | Categories | Stone |
| Remains | Small amount survives | Access | No Access - Private |
| Location | 51.685166,-5.088396 (Google Maps) | Directions | N/A |
Anstey Castle
emains of a motte and bailey castle possibly built by Eustace, Count of Boulogne. Situated just to the north of the church in Anstey, Hertfordshire. In 1218 the owner, Nicholas Anstey, was ordered by King Henry III to destroy the improvements that were made prior to the Baron's War of 1215 against King John.| County | Hertfordshire (5 castles) | Categories | Motte & Bailey |
| Remains | Just the motte remains | Access | Unknown - Please check before visiting |
| Location | 51.97683,0.042719 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Appleby Castle
ounded by Ranulf de Meschines The main keep, known as Caesar's Tower, was built at the end of the twelfth century when the castle was a royal possession. The castle was granted by King John to Robert de Vieuxpont in 1203. The Cliffords were later granted ownership of the castle and many improvements were made including the gatehouse, hall and chapel. The castle was later restored in the seventeenth century by Lady Anne Clifford. The castle is not open to the public.| County | Cumbria (6 castles) | Categories | Stone |
| Remains | Not complete but much survives | Access | No Access - Private |
| Comments | This is a privately owned castle and sadly there is no access for the general public. | ||
| Location | 54.5742,-2.4888 (Google Maps) | Directions | N/A |
Aydon Castle
ydon Castle is an excellent example of a fortified manor house and was built at the end of the thirteenth century. The main building was two floors and is cruciform in design. The main rooms including the hall and living quarters are located on the first floor and are accessed by an external staircase. To one side of the main hall is the kitchen and to the other is the solar.| County | Northumberland (15 castles) | Categories | Fortified Manor House |
| Remains | Excellent remains | Access | Only open at certain times |
| Location | 54.9915,-1.9995 (Google Maps) | Directions | Directions via Google Maps |
Explore the White Tower
Explore all four floors of the White Tower at the Tower of London using the Unity 3d game engine.
A Medieval Mystery
There appear to be some strange connections between the fourteenth century Old Wardour Castle and ancient stone circle Stonehenge.
1: Location
Old Wardour Castle appears to be aligned to ancient sites in the Stonehenge landscape.
2: Alignment
Stonehenge is aligned to the Summer Solstice. Old Wardour has a very similar alignment.
3: Size
Could the builders of Old Wardour used mesaurements from Stonehenge to layout the geometrical keep?
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