Oxford Castle

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Ancient plan of Oxford Castle.
Ancient plan of Oxford Castle.

Oxford Castle, located in Oxford, was built by a Norman baron Robert D'Oyly in 1071 shortly after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

It was originally an earth mound with a stone keep on top, known as St George's tower, and later a fifty foot high surrounding wall with towers were added.

In 1120 Robert's younger brother Nigel D'Oyly was Lord of Oxford Castle.

It was the home of Empress Matilda in 1141 when it was besieged by King Stephen. She escaped from the castle by being lowered over the walls, supposedly dressed in white as camouflage in the snow.

The site became the seat of the county government and courts although the castle had fallen into disrepair by the 14th century.

Oxford Castle (2007)
Oxford Castle (2007)

The county gaol gradually grew to take over most of the site. In 1888 it became HM Prison Oxford (Oxford Prison). As such, it was featured in a scene in the 1969 version of The Italian Job and the television series Inspector Morse. The prison was closed in 1996 and the site reverted to Oxfordshire County Council. It has since been redeveloped as a shopping and heritage complex, with open courtyards for markets and theatrical performances. The scheme also includes a the luxury Malmaison hotel, apartments and a bar/restaurant/venue complex. This is the first time in the UK that a modern prison has been turned into a hotel. It appeared as the hotel in the television series Lewis - the Inspector Morse spin-off.

Located in Oxford city centre, it is 12 miles northwest of Wallingford Castle, also usually credited to Robert D'Oyly.

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