From Saxon Stronghold to Norman Fortress: The Story of a Castle Built by Robert of Belleme

Rising from the ancient earth where Ethelfleda’s Saxon burgh once stood, the castle built by Robert of Belleme around 1101-2 became a silent witness to centuries of turmoil, ambition, and royal intrigue.

A Fortress Caught in the Crossfire of History

Barely had its mighty walls settled when Belleme was forced to surrender his stronghold to King Henry I in 1102. The castle’s fate, however, remained anything but peaceful. During the turbulent reign of King Stephen (1135–1154), it fell into the hands of the formidable Hugh de Mortimer, echoing with the footsteps of new masters and shifting allegiances.

A Symbol of Power—and Its Passing

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In 1155, the castle once again changed hands, bowing to the authority of Henry II. Yet, as the centuries rolled on, time proved a more relentless conqueror than any king. By the era of Henry VIII, the proud fortress had crumbled into picturesque ruin, its stones slowly succumbing to the elements.

The Last Stand of the Keep

The keep, the heart of the castle, held out against time and turmoil until the English Civil War. In 1646, Parliamentarian forces dealt the final blow, leaving behind only a shattered remnant—a haunting echo of the castle’s former glory.

A Ruin Steeped in Legend

Today, the ruined keep stands alone, a solitary guardian of stories that span from Saxon warriors to Norman lords, from royal triumphs to civil war. It is not just a relic of stone, but a living testament to the drama, resilience, and enduring mystery of England’s past.