More information : [TQ 32335055] Castle [GT] (Rems. of) (1)
Bletchingley Castle occupies the very flat top of a brow which terminates to the S. in a very steep slope. To the N. the ground slopes slightly upwards from the castle works. The plan consists of outer and inner wards, the latter containing remains of a keep, probably built between 1152 and 1217.
Foundations only were visible in the early 19th c., the keep has subsequently been cleared of earth and an ill-advised attempt to rebuild the walls has been made. The outworks have been still further destroyed by the building of a modern house upon the western part of them.
Plan [AO/63/103/1] given by Manning & Bray, apparently belongs to Aubrey's time, [Late 17th cent.]
The stone keep dates from about Stephen's reign and no doubt replaced an earlier timber structure. The castle is first mentioned in 1160(3). Scheduled (5)
[Photos: See AO/63/103/1 and 3]
Bletchingley Castle: ring motte and bailey with mainly rebuilt
remains of a keep. Condition poor.
Resurvey by FSG consulted immediately prior to drawing stage and accepted. (6)
A plan of Bletchingley Castle, drawn at a scale of 25 inches to 1 mile, by Mr. Edward Andrews Downman between 1889 and 1905, is in Kingston Museum. (Reference No. S(913) No. 3666. (7)
Excavations carried out by D.J Turner have identifed a Medieval hall c. 80ft long with an entrance on the shorter side. Excavations have also been carried out on the ringwork defences. (8-10)
Thompson considers that the early thin-walled keep is more an example non-military architecture than military. (11)
A reassessment of the early Norman castle following the Turner excavations suggests that the castle was the primary caput of Richard Fitz Gilbert until superceded by other Fitz Gilbert estses were completed. These is also a suggestion that the earthworks around the castle may be indicative of it having been a campaign position of the Norman army during the winter of 1066-7. (12) |