Marlborough Castle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marlborough Castle, also known as, or recorded in historical documents as, The Mount[1], was an 11th century royal castle that was located in the civil parish of Marlborough, a market town in the English county of Wiltshire, on the Old Bath Road, the old main road from London to Bath (grid reference SU18376866).
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[edit] History
In 1067, William the Conqueror assumed control of the Marlborough area and set Roger, Bishop of Salisbury, to building a wooden Motte-and-bailey castle, sited on the pre-historic mound. This was completed in around 1100. Stone was later used to strengthen the castle, in around 1175. He then established the neighbouring Savernake Forest, as a favourite Royal hunting ground, and Marlborough Castle became a Royal residence. From 1273-1369 it was used only as dower house.
It ceased to be used in 1370 and fell into disrepair, but remained Crown property. Edward VI then passed it to the Seymour family, his mother's relatives [2].
The castle was in ruins by 1403.
[edit] Present
All that remains today of it is Castle Mound, a ruins and earthworks mound, within the grounds of Marlborough College, where the castle once was. Traces of Neolithic and Roman occupation have been found in the vicinity of the Castle Mound. Parts of the Keep and curtain wall have been identified by excavation and a Roman coin recovered. This site is a Scheduled Monument.
[edit] Notable Events
- Henry I observed Easter here, in 1110.
- Richard I (Coeur de Lion) gave the castle to his brother John, in 1186.
- King John was married here on 29 August 1189 to Isabel of Gloucester, and spent time in Marlborough. He even established a Treasury.
- Henry II stayed at here while in talks with the King of Scotland.
- Queen Marguerite died here on 14 February 1317. She lived here for the last 10 years of her life as dower Queen.
