Baconsthorpe Castle

I have visited this site before, many years ago and wandered around this old fortified manor house often known as Baconsthorpe Castle. 

The castle started its life in the 15th Century when the Heydon family bought land from the Bacon family. The castle spent 200 years in the Heydon family's ownership being extended, altered and developed by various members of the family. However the family enjoyed a lavish lifestyle and this lifestyle drew up vast spending causing large financial debt. These debts caused the Heydon family to demolish and sell the castle in about 1650.

The outer gatehouse was still a residence until about 1920.

Initially the Heydon family made their fortunes being prominent lawyers. It is often believed that they Heydon family, particularly John Heydon, shifted allegiances between the two houses at war (War of the Roses) which gave rise to the notion that he was a shifty and ruthless person yet he always seemed to weather the storm and come out unscathed probably using his cunning and knowledge being a lawyer. 

In the later years of Baconsthorpe Castle, the use changed from being just that of a lavish home and estate to that of a factory and lavish home. Sir John Heydon II converted parts of the castle into a textile and wool factory, taking wool and spinning it and producing cloth which was sold all over England and on mainland Europe particularly the Netherlands. 

This produced vast profits for the family which was used to extend the hall further. A new outer gatehouse was built and the parkland surrounding the castle was developed. 

Their fortunes didn't last however and successive generations of the Heydon family increased the debts and were forced to sell off parts of the estate and castle. 

The outer gatehouse of the castle was in use a private residence until 1920 when one of the turrets collapsed. It was known as Baconsthorpe Hall. 

Unfortunately when I last visited the site it was closed to the public awaiting work to be conducted to stabilise the ruins and protect it for future generations to visit and enjoy. However it was a pleasure to visit again and marvel at the extensive ruins, imagining what it must have been like it is hay day. From the grand size and ornate decoration and working of stone, it is clear to see how much money must have been spent on this castle. It was a status symbol to show their power and wealth. 

Background information adapted from English Heritage information boards and website. Further reading and information available at https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/baconsthorpe-castle/

Outer gatehouse, a private residence until 1920.

Weeting Castle

Weeting castle. An interesting site accessed from a main road. Well you are directed by signs from the main road at a junction near to Brandon. It leads to a small housing estate with old styled housing and cottages on one side of the road and box style bungalows on the other. Following the sign posts it appears that you are working deeper and deeper into the housing estate until one sign points to a dirt track down beside some bungalows.

Following the track you eventually reach a small area of parking with banks on either side. One side leading to the back gardens of the housing estate and the other up to the grounds of the castle.

I walked up the steps to a gate which opened onto a grass path lined or flanked by a black metal fence guiding you down to the ruined structure of Weeting Castle. Not much is left of the structure apart from one end wall of the great hall, some low level walls of other parts of the building and what appears to be a fully intacted ice house.

Some history

Lets jump back to about 1180 when Weeting Castle was originally built. It is recorded that it was the home of the de Plais family who inhabited the castle up to about the late 14th century. It was later abandoned by the Howards who were the Earls of Norfolk. It came to their possession through marriage.

There are many similarities to be found in the remains of Weeting Castle with that of Castle Acre. While it is named Weeting Castle, there is no evidence to suggest that it was ever fortified and it is believed that the moat that once surrounded the site was added in the mid 13th century was merely an ornamental feature designed to show the wealth and power of the de Plais family.

On the site a fairly intacted ice house can be found which was added to the site during the construction of Weeting Hall, which has, unfortunately, since been demolished.

Evidence of the site having been occupied since the Saxon period has been found in the form of pottery, burnt daub and post holes.

My visit to Weeting Castle 

I walked around the site to take in the overall scale of it. One wall almost reaches full height. The earthworks showing the fortifications of the site. The moat, now dry in most parts, still clearly visible encircling the compound. 

While called Weeting Castle, this building was not a castleas we think of them. Weeting Castle was a manor house.

I wandered around the grounds of the castle and came across the ice house. The brick edged doorway now filled with a black metal gate stopping you falling into the pit in which the ice was stored. Unfortunately it is no longer filled with ice but people's waste that they discard there using it like a waste paper bin. 

While it is not a huge castle or site I enjoyed my wander around. It was fairly quiet the day I went, coming across maybe one or two groups of three people. Like myself they were enjoying their wander.

Definitelyworth visiting and once I have finished my adventures around sites I haven't yet visited or explored I shall return one day to visit it again.

Background history information adapted from information available at http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/weeting-castle/history/

 

Orford Castle

So here we see Ordford Castle on the Suffolk coast. Built by Henry II in the early 12th Century, around 1165 as a way to reassert royal authority and dominance across East Anglian. Up until this time the only royal fortress in the region would have been the castle at Norwich.

During his reign, Henry faced many uprisings with the barons of East Anglian rebelling especially Hugh Bigod, Earl of Norfolk. Even though he had confiscated Hugh Bigod's castles at Framlingham and Bungay, Orford was ideally situated to control the local barons but also to counter the threat presented by the Flemish mercenaries hired by Hugh Bigod to do his fighting for him.

Due to Henry II being someone who ekpt detailled records we know that Orford Castle cost £1413 to build, out of the yearly royal income of £10 000. 

We know that the castle was attacked and put under seige at several points throughtout it's history. We know from records that King Louis of France captured the castle in 1216 whilst in battle against King John. We also know the descendents of Hugh Bigod captured the castle twice however never held it for long.

As we as being a fortress it was a royal palace, with many state of the art features such as en-suite facilities in the form of a personal urinal along with latrines or toilets that flushed to the exterior of the castle. We believe that tapestries hung on the walls and mats of rushes would have been placed on the floor.

By looking at the overall design of the castle we assume that there were two great halls over two levels, and that they may have been used as a hall for public functions and the other for private functions. Within the turrets leading off the halls you will find the private apartments, kitchen and chapel. At the very bottom of the castle,down the grand staircase into the mound it sits upon we find the basement. The basement is complete with a 45ft deep well in the very centre of the room, which could be used to draw up salty water. The basement was also used to store vast quantities of food. This was vital if the castle was beseiged at any point.

When I arrived at the site, I was in awe and wonder at such a magnificent castle, the keep is well preserved and dominates the landscape around it. At first I experience a very strange feeling, as though I was being watched. The day was very windy and there was a slight chill. However I felt very safe and protected whilst inside the castle building itself. Even though the castle sits just outside the village of Orford, you could easily think that you were isolated from civilisation within the castle. One side of castle borders that of the former habour and Ness of Orford and the other borders village. Regardless of the feelings I experienced Orford Castle is extremely impressive, and well worth a visit. I wished that I lived within the castle myself.