 Totnes Castle
Situated on a promontory, commanding the River Dart, Totnes Castle was built
by the Normans at a point where three valleys meet. Earliest
surviving parts of Totnes Castle date from the 11th century, in the form
of earth works surrounding the site, with a later motte and bailey castle
being constructed on the built-up earthworks. The stone work of Totnes Castle
that has survived is likely to have been built over the framework of previous
timber fortifications, as was common practice of this period.
During the 13th century the large, circular shell keep was built on top of the motte,
but was reconstructed at the beginning of the 14th century
when other renovation work was carried out, including the rebuilding of
the entrance arch and stairways within the thickness of the walls. Some
small-scale additional work took place at a later date. This circular
stone keep stands to parapet height even today, and remains almost complete
with the various shaped arrow slits visible around the top. Moreover,
within the shell keep, stone foundations of a square tower have also survived.
Externally, a ditch separates the keep from the inner bailey. Although at one time
this completely encompassed the motte, parts have now been filled in.
The curtain wall around the inner bailey has largely disappeared, along
with the domestic buildings contained within it, save for a few of the
original foundations. Further protection was afforded to Totnes Castle by
a moat, although again this been filled in over the years. Beyond the
moat, an outer bailey would have provided farmland for Totnes Castle rather
than any additional protection.
Despite little
remaining of the original motte and bailey castle, other than the earthworks,
the stone enclosure of Totnes Castle's keep, built at the summit of the motte, has survived
to the extent of being one of the best preserved in England. |
