Horsford Castle

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The low-lying motte that remains

Horsford Castle is situated in the village of Horsford, 6 miles to the north of the city of Norwich (grid reference TG205156).

Before the Norman conquest the site was held by Edric but after the conquest William the Conqueror granted the land to Robert Malet, the Lord of Eye. He in turn granted the manor of Horsford to Walter de Caen (or de Cadamo). Walter built a motte and bailey on the site.

Walter's son Robert fitz Walter was Sheriff of Norfolk from 1115 to 1129. When Robert and his wife were returning from a pilgrimage to Rome, they were attacked by bandits, robbed and thrown into prison. However after praying to St Faith, they were released, and Robert subsequently founded the monastery of St Faith's near the castle.

Little is known about the subsequent history of the castle; it is possible that there was never a stone structure on the site. It seems to have been abandoned around the middle of the fifteenth century.

All that now remains is a low-lying motte in a field to the east of the village.