Clare Castle: A Medieval Norman Fortress in England

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.historic-uk.com

Country: United Kingdom

Civilization: Unclassified

Site type: Military

Remains: Castle

History

Clare Castle is a medieval fortress situated in the town of Clare, England. It was established by the Normans shortly after their conquest of England in 1066.

The castle’s origins trace back to Richard Fitz Gilbert, a Norman nobleman who received lands from William the Conqueror. Mentioned in historical records as early as 1090, Clare Castle held a central role as the administrative center, or caput, of the feudal barony of Clare. Its position between the River Stour and the Chilton Stream underscored its importance for both defense and control of the surrounding area.

During the 13th century, the castle underwent significant enhancements, including the construction of a polygonal stone keep and strengthened inner defenses with high stone walls. The castle was staffed by knights and soldiers provided by local landholders under a feudal arrangement known as the castle-guard system, ensuring military readiness.

In the 14th century, Clare Castle became the residence of Elizabeth de Clare, a wealthy noblewoman with a substantial household. She invested in the castle’s comfort and status by adding four stone towers at the entrance, a private chamber completed between 1346 and 1347, and elaborate water gardens featuring possible fountains and geometric layouts. The estate supported various agricultural pursuits such as vineyards, orchards, and managed deer parks, reflecting a highly self-sufficient estate.

The castle’s household was known for its lavish lifestyle, with an annual income exceeding £3,500, of which a large portion was spent on elaborate foods and drinks like swans, salmon, and imported wine. Skilled staff, including falconers, tailors, chaplains, and goldsmiths, maintained the estate, aided by dozens of knights and squires. Large-scale baking and brewing also took place on site.

Ownership passed to the Mortimer family through marriage in the 15th century. In 1405, Clare Castle was recorded as well maintained and well stocked. Later it became property of the Crown during the reign of Edward IV. After this period, the castle fell into decline and disrepair, its stonework likely repurposed for local building projects. By the 1500s, the castle stood in ruins.

The arrival of the railway in 1867 brought dramatic change when a branch line was cut through the castle’s inner bailey to construct a station, destroying much of the medieval structure. The railway operated for a century, closing in 1967. Following this, the castle grounds were transformed into a country park. Preservation efforts continued into the 21st century, with restoration work in 2014 stabilizing surviving walls and the keep.

Remains

The site of Clare Castle retains the outline of a classic motte-and-bailey fortress, defined by a large earth mound (the motte) and surrounding enclosed areas known as baileys. The motte measures around 260 meters across at its base and rises 30 meters high, with a flat top approximately 19 meters wide. On this summit stands the remains of a polygonal shell keep dating from the 13th century, constructed with walls about 1.8 meters thick and supported by fourteen triangular buttresses. Only portions of these stone walls survive today atop the mound.

To the north and east of the motte lie two baileys, originally enclosed by deep ditches and steep wooden palisades. The inner bailey was linked to the outer by a causeway or possibly a drawbridge, and protected further by a bend in the nearby Chilton Stream. In the 13th century, its defenses were upgraded with stone curtain walls reaching between 6 and 9 meters in height, made of flint and rubble. Sections of these walls remain as fragmentary ruins.

At the entrance to the inner bailey and keep, four stone towers named Auditorstower, Maidenstower, Constabletower, and Oxfordtower once guarded the gates, forming a strongpoint bolstering access control. These towers were added during Elizabeth de Clare’s tenure in the mid-14th century, when a private chamber was also built within the castle. This chamber provided a secure and comfortable living space and reflects the castle’s role as a noble residence.

A notable feature associated with this period is the extensive water garden situated near the eastern moat. Archaeological and historical evidence suggests this garden was carefully designed with a geometric layout, including fountains, matching garden styles found in monastic settings nearby. Surrounding the castle were three medieval deer parks, one known as the Great Park at Hundon, established by the late 11th century. These parks were actively used to breed and age deer, highlighting the estate’s emphasis on maintaining resources for hunting and display.

The grounds also supported vineyards and orchards that contributed to the estate’s self-sufficiency and luxurious lifestyle. Over time, significant parts of the castle’s stone masonry were dismantled, often reused in local construction, leaving only scattered walls and parts of the keep visible today.

The 19th-century railway construction significantly altered the site by cutting through and demolishing much of the inner bailey. Nonetheless, earthworks marking the outer bailey survived and remain visible in the landscape. Modern conservation work has focused on stabilizing and restoring parts of the keep and curtain walls. Reconstruction included re-plastering and re-roofing battlements, installing a flagpole, and creating walking paths through the grounds. Water continues to flow through the castle’s historic moats, maintaining the character of the medieval landscape.