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Cricklade 'castle'

In the civil parish of Cricklade.
In the historic county of Wiltshire.
Modern Authority of Wiltshire.
1974 county of Wiltshire.
Medieval County of Wiltshire.

OS Map Grid Reference: SU098938
Latitude 51.64053° Longitude -1.85805°

Cricklade 'castle' has been described as a Timber Castle although is doubtful that it was such.

There are no visible remains.

Description

An adulterine castle was built at Cricklade in 1144. Location unknown. (PastScape ref. King 1983)

In the Gesta Stephani of 1144 it is reported that William of Dover built a castle at Cricklade, surrounded by water and marshes. This castle has never been identified (it is suggested that the description does not fit the town and the castle may have been outside the walls - Cricklade Historical Society), and the reference may simply be to a re-fortification of the burgh defences, for which there is archaeological evidence (Haslam 1975). The town sided with the Empress during the anarchy and war. (Urban Survey Chippenham)

The castle built in 1144 by William of Dover with water and marsh on every side (Gesta Stephani, p. 113) may have been Castle Eaton (Renn 1973)
Comments

The description 'surrounded by water and marshes' could certainly apply to Cricklade town itself and the term castellumque used in the Gesta might well mean walled town rather than castle. It is difficult to see a reason to build a new castle when a strong defensive position already existed. Gatehouse favours this reference as a garrisoning of the existing town defences rather than as a castle, as suggested by Haslam (2003). Castle Eaton has also been suggested as the site.
Questionable as a distinct separate castle.
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This record last updated 26/07/2017 09:20:09

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