Ludgershall Castle

Ludgershall Castle is a ruined 12th-century fortified royal residence at Ludgershall in Wiltshire, England. Three large walls still remain of the castle, which was turned into a hunting lodge by Henry III but fell into disuse by the 15th century. The ruin was listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument in 1981.

Ludgershall Castle
Ludgershall, Wiltshire, England
Remains of Ludgershall Castle
Ludgershall Castle
Coordinates51.2596°N 1.6233°W / 51.2596; -1.6233
Site information
OwnerEnglish Heritage
Open to
the public		Yes
ConditionRuins and earthworks remain
Site history
MaterialsStone

Details

Extensive earthworks remain, although a private house stands on part of the site. The earthworks have been greatly altered by quarrying. The southern enclosure, which lies within them and at the opposite end of the site from the standing walls, is thought to have been an Iron Age stronghold.[1]

A medieval castle was probably first built in the late 11th century by Edward of Salisbury, Sheriff of Wiltshire. By about 1100 it had come into the possession of the Crown, and John the Marshal (died 1165) is recorded as the king's castellan. He strengthened it and may have added the northern enclosure, which contained the important buildings, largely in stone, including a great hall and a tower with royal living quarters. The southern enclosure was the bailey, where there were stables, kitchens, and timber farm buildings.[1]

King John improved the castle as a hunting lodge in 1210.[1] Ludgershall was a more important place in medieval England than it is now, and was able to send two members to Parliament, a privilege it kept until the Reform Act of 1832.

The site was excavated for the first time between 1964 and 1972 by the University of Southampton.[2] The ruin was listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument in 1981.[3]

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See also

References
  1. P. Ellis (ed.) Ludgershall Castle, Wiltshire: a report on the excavations by Peter Addyman 1964–72 (Devizes: Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, 2000)
  2. P. Ellis (ed.) Ludgershall Castle, Wiltshire: a report on the excavations by Peter Addyman 1964–72 (Devizes: Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, 2000). p. 245.
  3. Historic England. "Ludgershall Castle, a medieval ringwork and castle (1009912)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
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