Taunton Castle

Description

A motte and bailey castle probably built by Bishop William Gifford between 1107-1129, replaced in the early 13th century by a shell keep castle. From the later 13th century the castle was the primary adminstrative centre for the manor of Taunton Dene, it was also used to hold Assizes from 1280. The castle defences were improved in 1575 in preparation of an anticipated Spanish invasion, and in 1645 by the parliamentarians Sir Robert Pye and General Blake. An order to destroy the fortifications of Taunton in 1662 lead to the infilling of the moat and demolition of the Keep. A prison was in use at the castle until the late 17th century and the Great Hall was used for public meetings during the 18th and 19th century. In 1873 the Great Hall was bought by the Somerset Natural History and Archaeology Society and it houses the County Museum and local History Society. The castle comprised a keep, inner ward and outer bailey enclosed by an outer moat 12 metres wide and 3 metres deep.which has been identified from excavations. The main castle buildings, situated within the inner ward, included the keep and extant buildings such as the Great Hall, Camera and Constable's Tower. The outer bailey, which contained auxillary buildings accessed by an eastern garden, has been extensively built over. (PastScape)

A motte and bailey castle replaced by a shell keep castle during the 13th century. The Winchester Pipe Rolls of 1207 state the castle was enlarged and strengthened as part of a wider programme of fortification of castles in Somerset and Dorset by Peter de Roches. The programme involved the construction of a moat and enclosure around the castle and town and construction of a palisade. From the later 13th century the castle was the primary administrative centre for the manor of Taunton Dene. It was also use to hold Assizes from 1280. The castle was besieged by Yorkists in 1451. In 1575 the defences were improved in preparation of an anticipated Spanish invasion. In 1644 the castle and town were captured by the parliamentarians under Sir Robert Pye and General Blake in 1644. Blake improved both the town and castle's defences in 1645. An order to destroy the fortifications of Taunton lead to the infilling of the moat and demolition of the Keep. A prison was in use at the castle until the late 17th century and the Great Hall was used for public meetings during the 18th and 19th century. In 1873 the Great Hall was bought by the Somerset Natural History and Archaeology Society and houses the county museum and local history society. Much of the castle dates from the 13th century and comprised an inner ward and outer bailey enclosed by an outer moat, identified from excavations as being 12 metres wide and 3 metres deep. The inner ward measured 104 metres east-west and 68 metres north-south and contained the main castle buildings which include The Keep and the Bishop's Great Chamber. Excavations have shown that the Bishop's Great Chamber, which measured 16 metres by 13 metres, was constructed in the early 12th century. Modifications during the 13th century reduced the building to 9 metres in width and extended it to 21.5 metres in length. The Keep or the Great Tower, which dates from the 13th century was situated within the northeast area of the castle site. The foundations survive to a maximum height of 2.85 metres and include 17 visible stone courses. Documentary sources refer to the tower as having five towers, a hall and soldiers' chambers. It was refurbished in 1364-5 and included the use of one of the towers as a goal. Other structures documented within the inner ward include a pantry, kitchen, tower, bridge, garden and the Chapel of St Nicholas which was situated next to the inner gate. The outer bailey which measured 140 metres east-west by 120 metres north-south contained auxillary buildings and was accessed by an eastern gate house. Most of the outer bailey has been extensively built over. (PastScape–ref. Scheduling notification)

Comments

The excavation of the keep was not of the highest standard and the interpretation of the remains is difficult. It may be the masonry great tower was a revetment of the motte built to look like a classic square tower but without the substantial walls. It seems very likely there was a Saxon settlement of some status on the site.