Hubbry Logo
Devizes CastleDevizes CastleMain
Open search
Devizes Castle
Community hub
Devizes Castle
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Devizes Castle
Devizes Castle
Devizes Castle
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Devizes Castle was a medieval fortification in the town of Devizes, Wiltshire, England, on a site now occupied by a Victorian-era castle. It is a Grade I listed building.[1] The original castle (not currently visible) was overbuilt by the current structure. Records indicate that the first castle on the site had its origins in about 1080 as an early Norman motte and bailey with wooden pallisade and tower.[2]

Key Information

Medieval building

[edit]

The first motte-and-bailey castle on this site was probably built around 1080 by Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury. It is first mentioned in 1106, when Robert of Normandy was imprisoned in it,[3] and, despite reports, it is not mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. It became known by its Latin name Castrum ad divisas, the castle at the boundaries, because it was located at a place where three parishes joined. That later evolved into the word Devizes.[4][5] The town grew around the castle.[6]

The original structure burned down in 1113 and was rebuilt in stone by Roger, Bishop of Salisbury, by 1120. In that era, it was said (by an unknown source) that it was the most beautiful fortress in Europe.[7] He occupied it under Henry I and the castle was claimed by Stephen, King of England in the 1130s; Empress Matilda once took it but returned the castle to King Stephen when he threatened to kill her son. Matilda later reclaimed it and held the castle for some time.[5] The property was owned by the Crown until the 17th century. It was used as a prison by Henry II and Henry III. It went on to become the property of Henry VIII who gifted it to his wife Catherine of Aragon and then reclaimed it after their divorce.[8]

Important prisoners were held at the castle, including (from 1106) Robert Curthose, eldest son of William the Conqueror, and (in 1232) Hubert de Burgh. Also, in 1206, John, King of England held his second wife Isabella here as a prisoner.[5]

Civil War and afterwards

[edit]

In 1643, during the Civil War, the castle was occupied by Royalist troops and besieged by Parliamentary forces under Sir William Waller. However, three days later in the Battle of Roundway Down, Waller's army was routed by Royalist forces. At that time, Devizes was a base for Lord Hopton's forces. The castle and town remained in Royalist hands under the military governorship of Sir Charles Lloyd, the King's Chief Engineer, who defended the town against repeated attacks and bombardments by the Parliamentarians. In September 1645, Cromwell with large forces and heavy artillery invaded the town and laid siege to the castle, which surrendered after a bombardment by the 5,000 man Parliamentary army. In May 1648 the castle was dismantled following a Parliamentary Order, a process known as slighting. The stone used for building other local structures.[4]

The original castle (below the current castle) became a scheduled monument in 1953 based on excavations at the site. The Historic England report provided this information:[2]

The motte and bailey castle at Devizes survives well and is a good example of its type. Despite part of the remains of the original castle having been built over, the motte and the ditch are imposing features, and the relationship between castle and town can still be seen. Additional evidence relating to the castle has been revealed by excavation, and the unexcavated parts of the castle motte, moat and bailey will contain archaeological information and environmental evidence relating to the castle and the landscape in which it was constructed. There is good documentary evidence to show the history of the castle. Devizes Castle had its origins in about 1080 as an early Norman motte and bailey with wooden pallisade and tower ... The castle was used as an Italian prisoner of war camp in WW2. The castle has left its mark on the plan and development of the town of Devizes, where elements of the defensive system, and the way in which the town was laid out around the castle, can still be seen in the town plan today.

In her book Northanger Abbey, written in 1803, Jane Austen referred to the town, but not the castle; in the book John Thorpe was to stop there during one of his journeys.[9]

Victorian rebuilding

[edit]
1883 plan of the castle, from the estate sale

In 1838 the castle lands were acquired by J. N. Tylee who sold them in 1838 to Valentine Leach, a Devizes tradesman. The present castellated Victorian era 'castle', in a mixture of Neo-Norman and Gothic Revival styles, was designed by Henry Goodridge, an architect from Bath. It was begun about 1840 with a boldly asymmetrical design, and was extended northwards in the 1860s and succeeding decades. The north tower incorporates the remains of a 17th-century brick windmill.[10]

According to the National Heritage List, excavations of the keep and aisled building were first done in 1858 and indicated "a number of lesser buildings surrounding the hall". The moat was excavated in 1860 when Leach was enlarging the castle. By that time, excavations had already found the footings of the former hall piers.

Subsequently, the property has had a succession of owners, including Sir Charles Rich, Bt. (d. 1913), who made some alterations. In 1951 it was sold in two lots, named "North Tower" and "South Tower".[4]

The current castle, with its turrets, towers and castellations, on a 2.4 acre property,[11] was Grade I listed in 1972 as DEVIZES CASTLE INCLUDING GLASS HOUSE AND GARDEN WALLS ENCIRCLING WEST SIDE OF MOUND. The listing provides specifics as to modifications and enlargement made in the 1860s, 70s and 80s. The interior is described as "designed in a mixture of neo-Norman, Gothic and C16 styles. The drawing room and bedroom in the northern section facing west have the partly original frames of C16 or early C17 ceilings inserted with carved and gilded bosses, small brackets and ribs, the whole completed in plaster".[1]

21st century

[edit]
The medieval gatehouse from St Johns Street (2011)

A 2004 report indicated that the owner of the north tower area at the time was Edward Owen, while Mark Lovell owned the south tower area.[12] News coverage in March 2009 stated that Jonathan Lewis was then the owner of the "main section and the north tower".[13] By November 2010, the "north tower and main area" of the castle had been purchased by Julia Dempster.[14] In March 2019, a news article stated that "the castle" was then owned by Lavender Howard but did not specify which section.[15]

The "principal part" of the castle, with gardens in front and rear, was listed for sale in 2018 and again in 2019. Some documents referred to it as "semi-detached" because the south tower area was not included in the sale.[16] Specifics as to the status of the principal part of the castle became available at that time. It was said to be a 9,117-square-foot mansion with nine bedrooms, eight according to some sources, and six full bathrooms.[8] The property included a 2.4-acre lot. Photographs published by Country Life indicated that a great deal of modernization had been completed, and also provided this information:[17]

There are stone mullioned windows, detailed stone archways, cavernous fireplaces, oak floorboards, and spiral staircases ... Several of the rooms – including the drawing room and study – have ornate ceilings with gilded bosses, while the ‘fernery’ accessed via the drawing room has a beautiful encaustic tiled floor and a wooden ceiling ... There are eight bedrooms in total, five of which are on the second floor, with one more on the first floor and the other two on the third floor – including one in the turret ... The living spaces are set across the ground and first floors, and include a huge kitchen/breakfast room, grand entrance hall with wooden staircase, a library and a long gallery.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Devizes Castle

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Devizes Castle is a Grade I listed Gothic Revival mansion in , , , constructed in the on the motte of a medieval Norman fortress originally built around 1080 as a motte-and-bailey structure with wooden and tower. The castle's name derives from the Latin Castrum ad divisas, referring to its strategic location on the boundaries of three manors—Rowde, Bishops Cannings, and Potterne—which also influenced the development of the surrounding medieval . The original fortress, likely founded by Bishop Osmund of Salisbury shortly after the , served as a key defensive and administrative center, burning down in 1113 before being rebuilt in stone around 1138 under Bishop . During the of 1139–1153, it played a pivotal role in the civil wars between King Stephen and , enduring a notable in 1141 and passing to Crown ownership under Henry II in 1152, after which it remained a royal possession until the 17th century. Subsequent enhancements included an aisled hall documented in 1236–1237, and the site hosted visits by King John (1204–1216), Henry III, and Edward I, functioning also as a and in later medieval periods. Architecturally, the medieval castle featured a stone keep on the motte, a curtain wall, and concentric ditches with a up to 4 meters deep and 10–30 meters wide, though much was slighted during the when it served as a stronghold and was partially demolished between 1646 and 1648 following its capture by Parliamentarian forces. The present structure, a neo-Norman/Gothic begun around 1840 and with additions through 1860–1880, commissioned by Robert Valentine Leach and designed by architect Henry Edmund Goodridge, incorporates reset 12th-century Romanesque fragments such as chevron-decorated arches and shafts, preserving elements of the earlier fortifications amid landscaped gardens. As of 2025, Devizes Castle is a and private residence owned by Kazuhiko Akao, occasionally open for events and undergoing restoration, reflecting its enduring historical significance in shaping local and urban layout while highlighting Wiltshire's Norman heritage.

Medieval Origins

Construction and Early Ownership

Devizes Castle was established as a motte-and-bailey structure around 1080 by Osmund, , shortly after the , as part of the consolidation of episcopal power in . The initial fortifications consisted of a wooden and tower atop an earthen motte, surrounded by a bailey and early defensive ditches, reflecting typical Norman castle design aimed at controlling the strategic crossroads of the region. This construction coincided with the development of the adjacent town of , which derived its name from the Latin divisae (boundaries), referring to the castle's position on the divide between the ancient hundreds of Potterne and Cannings. The castle suffered significant damage when it was burned down in 1113 during a period of political unrest, but it was promptly rebuilt in stone by Roger, Bishop of Salisbury, around 1138. Roger, a powerful figure under King Henry I and later Henry II, enhanced the fortifications with a stone keep on the motte and expanded the defenses to include concentric ditches—originally four in number—making it one of the most formidable castles in England. Contemporary chroniclers praised the reconstructed castle as "the finest and most splendid in Europe," underscoring its architectural and strategic importance. An aisled hall of six bays was added by the mid-13th century, first documented in records from 1236–1237, serving as a key administrative and residential component. Early ownership remained tied to the Bishopric of until the mid-12th century, when the castle played a pivotal role in —a civil war between King Stephen and . In 1139, it was fortified amid the conflict and captured by Matilda's forces by 1140; by 1152, it had passed to her son, the future Henry II, entering royal possession thereafter. The first recorded was Guy de Diva in 1192, under King Richard I, marking the beginning of formalized royal administration. It remained a asset through the reigns of subsequent monarchs, including King John (who used it extensively from 1204 to 1216), Henry III, and Edward I, serving as a outpost and administrative center in the heart of .

Role in the Anarchy and Later Medieval Events

During the Anarchy, the civil war between King Stephen and Empress Matilda from 1135 to 1153, Devizes Castle emerged as a key strategic stronghold in Wiltshire, changing hands amid intense conflict. In June 1139, following Stephen's arrest of Bishop Roger of Salisbury at a council in Oxford, Roger's nephew, Nigel, Bishop of Ely, fled to Devizes Castle, one of the bishop's fortified residences. Stephen pursued him, besieging the castle for three days; Nigel mounted a vigorous defense but surrendered when Stephen threatened to execute Roger before the walls. The castle then fell under Stephen's control, but instability persisted as mercenary forces exploited the chaos. By early 1140, the Flemish mercenary Robert fitz Hubert, previously in the service of Matilda's half-brother Robert, Earl of Gloucester, secretly deserted and captured Devizes Castle through a surprise escalade on the night of 26 March. Fitz Hubert, claiming to hold it for Matilda but acting independently, fortified the site and gained notoriety for brutal acts, including suspending prisoners by their feet from the battlements and setting fires beneath them. In summer 1141, following Matilda's victory at the Battle of Lincoln and her brief capture of Stephen, her forces under John the Marshal recaptured the castle; fitz Hubert attempted to flee by swimming the moat but was captured and hanged before the walls. Matilda then used Devizes as a major base in her western territories, granting the town borough status in recognition of its loyalty after the reconquest. The castle served as a refuge for her during retreats, including after the Rout of Winchester in September 1141. After the Anarchy ended with the Treaty of Winchester in 1153, which secured the throne for Matilda's son Henry II, Devizes Castle passed into possession and remained royal property until the 17th century. Under Henry II (r. 1154–1189), it functioned partly as a , continuing a role established earlier under his uncle Henry I, who had imprisoned , , there from 1106 to 1126. By the late , the castle shifted from a primary fortress to an administrative center, though it retained defensive capabilities. In the 13th century, Devizes continued as a royal residence and secure storage site. King John (r. 1199–1216) visited frequently between 1204 and 1216, using it as a hunting lodge and secure repository for the crown jewels and regalia. He left his young son, Prince Henry (the future Henry III), in the care of the castle's governor during his absences. His son, Henry III (r. 1216–1272), also employed it as a . I (r. 1272–1307) stayed at the castle during his progresses, underscoring its enduring status as a favored royal stopover in the region. By the late medieval period, its military role diminished further, reflecting broader trends in castle usage toward palatial and administrative functions.

English Civil War

Royalist Stronghold and Preparations

Following the victory at the in July 1643, which relieved an earlier Parliamentary siege, Devizes Castle solidified its position as a key stronghold in , serving as a strategic outpost to control the region and support operations in the South West. The castle and town remained under control for the next two years, functioning as a , , and defensive base amid ongoing skirmishes with Parliamentary forces. This period of occupation allowed to integrate the site into broader defensive networks, particularly after the initial garrison under Sir Ralph Hopton was reinforced with troops from the Battle of Lansdown. In 1644, Colonel Sir Charles Lloyd, the King's and , was appointed military governor of with the explicit aim of transforming the into one of the principal strongholds in the South West. Lloyd, renowned for his expertise in fortifications, oversaw extensive preparations in early 1645, leveraging the castle's medieval motte-and-bailey structure—complete with a central , inner and outer baileys, and surrounding ditches—to create what was described as the strongest fortress in , possibly with assistance from Sir Ralph Hopton. These efforts included substantial refurbishments to the defenses, such as reinforcing walls, enhancing earthworks, and integrating the castle with town barricades to form a cohesive fortified complex capable of withstanding prolonged assaults. Archaeological evidence from post-war leveling confirms the scale of these Civil War-era modifications, which built upon the site's natural defensibility. The under Lloyd consisted of approximately 400 Welsh troops, a relatively small but disciplined force well-stocked with provisions to endure a . These soldiers were positioned to man the refurbished ramparts and integrate with local militias, using the castle's elevated keep for command and placement while blocking key town approaches with improvised barriers like carts and felled trees, echoing earlier 1643 tactics. Such preparations reflected the Royalists' strategy to hold peripheral strongholds like Devizes as buffers against the advancing , especially after defeats at in June 1645 and the fall of in September 1645, which isolated the and precipitated Oliver Cromwell's subsequent bombardment.

Siege of 1645 and Immediate Aftermath

During the closing phases of the , Castle served as a major Royalist stronghold in , fortified in early 1645 under the command of Colonel Sir Charles Lloyd to control the region following earlier setbacks for the King's forces. After Parliament's decisive victory at the on 14 June 1645 and the subsequent fall of on 11 September, Lieutenant General advanced westward with a Parliamentary of around 5,000 men, including heavy . Cromwell arrived at on or about 21 September 1645, positioning ten cannons in the town's Market Place to target the castle directly. The bombardment commenced immediately, inflicting significant damage over three days; on the second day, a landed in the keep—used as a powder magazine—but failed to ignite the stores, averting a potential catastrophe for the defenders. The castle's , numbering approximately 400 Welsh troops under Lloyd, was well-provisioned with food but outnumbered and outgunned. Despite sallies to disrupt the besiegers, the Royalists suffered minimal losses initially, but the relentless artillery fire rendered further resistance untenable. On 23 September 1645, Lloyd agreed to surrender following articles proposed by Cromwell on 22 September, which allowed the to depart with their arms, colours, horses, and baggage, while officers could retain their swords. This relatively lenient treatment reflected Cromwell's strategy to encourage swift capitulations and minimize bloodshed in the war's final stages. The surrender marked the permanent loss of to the Royalists, effectively securing for . In the immediate aftermath, Parliamentary forces occupied the castle, using it briefly as a base. By June 1646, Sir Edward Mass ey's brigade was disbanded in , signaling the stabilization of the area under ary control. ordered the of the castle in May 1646 to render it militarily useless, with demolition work progressing through 1647 and completing by 1648; much of the stone was repurposed for local buildings, including a new residence constructed on the site by 1654. Traces of the bombardment remain visible today, such as scars on the nearby St. James' Church tower. This event contributed to the broader collapse of organized Royalist resistance in western .

Decline and Pre-Victorian Developments

Post-Siege Use and Demolition

Following the surrender of Devizes Castle to Parliamentary forces on 23 September 1645, under Parliamentary orders issued in 1646, the castle's defenses were slighted to prevent further use, with the demolition process extending into 1648 when the main structure was systematically dismantled. The involved the targeted destruction of walls, towers, and the keep, rendering the site militarily unusable, though much of the castle had already fallen into partial ruin by the mid-16th century prior to the . Stones from the demolished buildings were quarried by local townspeople for reuse in constructing homes and other structures in , accelerating the site's transformation into an open ruin by the late 1640s. By 1648, the once-formidable had been reduced to scattered foundations and earthworks, with only fragmentary remains of the medieval keep and outer walls surviving above ground.

18th and Early 19th Century Ruin

Following the demolition ordered after the , Castle lay in extensive ruins throughout the , with much of its stone quarried by local townspeople for reuse in building projects around . By the early 1700s, only the motte and ramparts remained substantially intact, while the baileys and inner structures had largely vanished. In 1723, antiquarian sketched the site, depicting two windmills erected atop the motte, one built on the remnants of a medieval tower—highlighting its transition from fortress to utilitarian landscape feature. These windmills, operational from at least the mid-17th century, served the town's milling needs and symbolized the site's diminished military significance, operating continuously into the early until their removal around 1840. The ruins attracted little formal attention during this period, though the motte's prominence continued to define the town's . Ownership of the castle lands shifted among private holders, but no major restoration efforts occurred, preserving the site as an overgrown, eroded relic amid agricultural and urban expansion. Into the early , the castle remained a neglected , with the dry and earthworks gradually eroding further due to and informal use. Excavations in the and occasionally uncovered medieval artifacts, underscoring the site's historical layers, but these findings did not prompt preservation. The period marked the nadir of the castle's fortunes, as grew as a around its dilapidated core, until private acquisition in 1838 initiated preliminary redevelopment on the motte's eastern edge.

Victorian Reconstruction

Commissioning and Construction

In 1838, the ruins of Devizes Castle were acquired by Valentine Leach, a local Devizes tradesman and entrepreneur, who commissioned the reconstruction of a new residence on the site of the medieval motte and bailey fortification. Leach, having amassed wealth through local commerce, sought to create a grand country house that evoked the castle's historic prestige while serving as a modern family home. The project marked a significant investment, and building works were initiated almost immediately to transform the dilapidated remains into a viable property. The architectural design was entrusted to Henry Edmund Goodridge, a prominent Bath-based known for his work in the Gothic Revival and Neo-Norman styles, who had previously designed notable structures such as the Lansdown Tower. Goodridge's plans emphasized a castellated appearance, blending romantic medievalism with practical Victorian domesticity, and incorporated surviving elements of the site's post-medieval landscape, including two 18th-century windmills on the motte—one repurposed as a circular tower and the other integrated into the northern facade. Construction began in 1838 and progressed rapidly, with the main structure substantially completed by 1840, reflecting the era's enthusiasm for picturesque among the emerging . Following Valentine Leach's death in 1842, his son Robert Valentine Leach inherited the property and oversaw further expansions between approximately 1860 and 1880, adding northward extensions in a consistent Neo-Norman style to accommodate growing family needs and enhance the estate's grandeur. These later works included a stable block, coach house, and additional garden walls, all enclosed within the mound's perimeter, ensuring the castle's evolution from a modest reconstruction to a fully realized Victorian . The overall design retained the motte's elevated position for dramatic effect, with stonework, round-arched entrances, and embattled parapets that paid homage to the site's 12th-century origins without direct replication. The reconstructed castle is a Grade I listed building, symbolizing the intersection of historical reverence and contemporary ambition.

Architectural Style and Features

The Victorian reconstruction of Devizes Castle, initiated in 1838, exemplifies a Neo-Norman style with Gothic Revival influences, designed to evoke the grandeur of a medieval fortress while serving as a private residence. Architect Henry Edmund Goodridge of Bath crafted the initial structure as a highly asymmetrical castellated , incorporating mock-medieval elements to blend seamlessly with the site's ancient motte. The design prioritized dramatic silhouettes and defensive illusions, such as crenellated parapets and machicolations, reflecting the Romantic-era fascination with prevalent in mid-19th-century Britain. Externally, the castle features a massive circular keep faced in stone, topped with battlements and buttresses that accentuate its imposing presence atop the motte. A prominent , positioned where the original medieval keep once stood, includes paired lights divided by colonettes and overlooks the town through large mullioned and transomed windows. The entrance is marked by a Norman-style gatehouse with a round-arched portal and grooves, flanked by a lodge and leading to a terrace enclosed by an arcaded adorned with characteristic ornamentation. Northern extensions, added between the 1860s and 1880s under architects like J.A. Randell, introduced rock-faced stonework and retained a 17th-century windmill tower, enhancing the asymmetrical profile with oriel windows and an octagonal conservatory featuring a stepped domical . A bowed fernery with Norman arches and a stone-tiled further embellishes the grounds, while walls encircling the mound's west side incorporate battlemented parapets for continuity. The structure is built primarily of local stone, including reused 12th-century fragments from nearby St. John's Church, underscoring its historical layering. Internally, the castle blends Victorian opulence with faux-historical motifs, including ornately carved stone fireplaces and wide bay mullioned windows that flood principal rooms with light. The and principal bedroom boast ceilings inspired by 16th- and early 17th-century designs, featuring plaster ribs, gilded bosses, and carved brackets to mimic Elizabethan grandeur. These elements, combined with the castle's Grade I listing, highlight its status as a prime example of adapted for comfortable domestic use.

Modern Era

20th Century Ownership and Preservation

In the early , Devizes Castle remained in private ownership following its Victorian reconstruction, with Sir Charles Rich, who had acquired the property in 1888, making notable alterations including the replacement of Norman-style windows with Tudor ones, the addition of a , and new stables before his death in 1913. After Lady Rich's death in 1918, the estate was purchased by E. C. Reed, a local figure who maintained it as a residence until his own passing. The property then transferred to R. J. Clappen, continuing its use as a private home through the mid-century. A pivotal shift occurred in 1951 when Birmingham-based builder H. Brown bought the castle and subdivided it into two independent dwellings, adapting the structure for modern residential use while preserving its core layout. The north tower passed to W. B. Medlam in 1951 and subsequently to E. B. M. Kemp in 1955, whereas the south tower saw multiple owners, including T. G. Waugh initially, followed by R. N. Newsome and G. M. Tudor-Hart in 1956, and I. M. Durand in 1961. This division reflected post-war trends in repurposing historic buildings for affordability and practicality, ensuring the castle's survival as occupied properties rather than abandonment. Preservation efforts gained formal momentum in the mid-20th century through statutory protections. The archaeological remains of the original medieval were designated a scheduled on 18 February 1953, safeguarding the site from development and emphasizing its Norman origins. The , a Victorian feature associated with the , is part of the Grade II listed curtain wall and , designated on 19 September 1972. By 19 September 1972, the Victorian structure received Grade I listed status, recognizing its architectural merit as a Gothic Revival landmark, while the gate house and remnants of the original were afforded Grade II protection. These measures, administered by what became , prevented demolition and supported ongoing maintenance by private owners, blending the site's layered history with controlled adaptation.

21st Century Use and Restoration

In the early 21st century, Castle remained in private ownership and was primarily used as a family residence, with parts occasionally available for rent or opened to the public for events. The property, a Grade I listed Victorian Gothic structure built on the site of the original medieval fortress, served as a private home while contributing to the local heritage landscape in , . It was placed on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register due to ongoing concerns about structural deterioration from inadequate maintenance. The castle changed hands in when Japanese businessman Kazuhiko Akao purchased the northern portion and most of the grounds for an undisclosed sum, following its listing for sale in under previous owner Lavender . This acquisition marked a shift toward active preservation, as the new owner initiated comprehensive restoration efforts to address severe disrepair, including leaking roofs, collapsing boundary walls, and unstable parapets. Plans for internal refurbishments, such as ceiling and wall repairs, alongside external conservation of the roof and fabric, were submitted in late 2023. Wiltshire Council approved the initial restoration proposals in January 2024, emphasizing a conservation-led approach to ensure the castle's survival as a family home while preserving its historical integrity. Subsequent approvals in May 2024 permitted the temporary dismantling of a 2-meter section of the east-side curtain wall to facilitate vehicle access for repairs, with the stonework to be reinstated using traditional methods by specialist tradesmen. Work progressed steadily through 2024 and into 2025, focusing on minimal interventions to stabilize the structure without altering its Victorian features. As of November 2025, restoration efforts continue under strict heritage guidelines, with additional plans for grounds , such as works, approved in December 2024 to support the site's long-term viability. The site remains on the with extensive significant problems, medium vulnerability, and a stable trend, under priority D (action/strategy agreed but not yet implemented); some repair programs are projected to finish by 2025. These initiatives aim to adapt the castle for modern residential use while mitigating risks of further decay, reflecting a commitment to balancing private occupancy with public heritage value.

References

  1. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1021375
  2. https://www.crsbi.ac.uk/view-item?i=13959
  3. http://www.devizesheritage.co.uk/history.html
  4. https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/25298593.latest-plans-future-devizes-castle-amid-works/
  5. https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Community/Index/77
  6. https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/cotswold/20708833.anarchy-cotswolds-12th-century-style/
  7. https://www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/news-articles/artworks/the-anarchy-princess-matilda/
  8. http://www.devizesheritage.co.uk/devizescastle.html
  9. https://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=1974
  10. https://www.exploringgb.co.uk/blog/devizes-castle-wiltshire
  11. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol10/pp225-252
  12. http://media.freeola.com/other/11200/devizesarchaeologywc.pdf
  13. http://www.devizesheritage.co.uk/battle_of_roundway.htm
  14. http://devizes.org.uk/index.php/history
  15. https://www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/English%20sites/3627.html
  16. https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=216161&resourceID=19191
  17. https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/a-grand-english-castle-in-the-wiltshire-countryside-118609
  18. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7390519/Imposing-10-bedroom-Devizes-Castle-played-host-succession-English-kings.html
  19. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1249366
  20. https://www.thedicamillo.com/house/devizes-castle/
  21. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1249360
  22. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1249362
  23. https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/24022081.devizes-castle-restoration-approved-wiltshire-council/
  24. https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/23911187.devizes-castle-restoration-plans-submitted-wiltshire/
  25. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqqnw9n4qk5o
  26. https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/24184409.plans-revealed-devizes-castle-restoration-work/
  27. https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/24766344.latest-plans-submitted-devizes-castle-restoration/
  28. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/heritage-at-risk/search-register/list-entry/39588
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.