Bridgnorth Castle

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Bridgnorth Castle is in the town of Bridgnorth, Shropshire beside the River Severn (grid reference SO717927).

The ruins of Bridgnorth Castle

Bridgnorth Castle and surrounding garden

The castle was founded in 1101 by Robert de Belleme, the son of the French Earl, Roger de Montgomery, who succeeded his father to become the Earl of Shrewsbury. Its principal feature, a square great tower, was built during the reign of Henry II.

During the Civil War, Bridgnorth was one of the Midlands' main Royalist strongholds and in 1642 many Royalist troops were garrisoned there. In 1646, Cromwell’s Roundheads arrived with orders to take Bridgnorth for the Parliamentarians. Following a three week siege, Cromwell was successful and he ordered that the castle be demolished. By 1647 little of the structure remained. The Parliamentarians left it much as it is today, the stone from the castle being taken and used to repair the town's damaged buildings.

Parts of the great tower still remain, but because of the damage caused during the Civil War, it now leans at an angle of 15 degrees. The castle grounds were excavated over 3 days by Time Team (episode aired 18 March 2001), clarifying the layout of the castle and the history of its construction.