Horsford Castle: A Norman Motte-and-Bailey in Norfolk, England

Visitor Information

Google Rating: 3.9

Popularity: Very Low

Google Maps: View on Google Maps

Official Website: www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk

Country: United Kingdom

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

Horsford Castle is located in the village of Horsford, near Norwich in England. It was originally established by Anglo-Saxon occupants before the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Before the arrival of the Normans, the land belonged to Eadric Cild, an Anglo-Saxon noble. Following the conquest, King William the Conqueror granted the estate to Robert Malet, the Lord of Eye, a prominent Norman lord. Robert Malet later lost possession of Horsford after he opposed King Henry I, leading to a transfer of ownership.

Walter de Caen received the manor after Robert Malet’s dispossession. It was Walter who constructed the castle’s motte, an earthen mound typical of early medieval fortifications, as a statement of authority over the surrounding heathland and pasture. Walter also created a deer park near the castle, demonstrating control over local resources and land use.

Walter’s son, Robert FitzWalter, played a significant administrative role as Sheriff of Norfolk from 1115 to 1129. During this period, Robert undertook a pilgrimage to Rome. On his return, he and his wife were captured by bandits. Following their release, attributed to the prayers to Saint Fides of Agen, Robert established a monastery near Horsford Castle dedicated to this saint, linking the site to religious devotion and local monastic history.

By the middle of the 15th century, the castle had likely fallen out of use and was abandoned. Although it no longer stands as a functioning stronghold, Horsford Castle remains a Scheduled Monument, recognized for its historical importance.

Remains

Horsford Castle’s layout reflects its origin as a motte-and-bailey fortress, a common type of castle design during the Norman period. The motte is a large, raised earth mound which once supported the main defensive structure. This mound measures approximately 77 meters in length, 32 meters wide, and rises about 2.3 meters above the surrounding landscape, which sits 23 meters above sea level.

Adjacent to the motte lies the bailey, an enclosed courtyard area where additional buildings and activities would have taken place. The bailey covers roughly 72 by 32 meters and served as a protected space linked to the main castle mound. Both the motte and bailey were positioned strategically on heathland east of Horsford village to oversee the surrounding pasture and deer park created by Walter de Caen.

Presently, the site is characterized by low earthworks, with the motte mound remaining as the most visible feature. These remnants offer a clear indication of the castle’s original footprint. The castle’s earthworks have survived in situ, providing a physical link to its Norman-era origins in the flat Norfolk landscape.