Clare Castle
Clare Castle, Suffolk - remains
Photo © Oxyman, 25 September 2008
Clare Castle is a ruin in the small town of Clare in Suffolk, England.
William the Conqueror granted the area to Richard Fitz Gilbert, founder of the de Clare family, after the Norman invasion in 1066. The first structure on the site was a wooden castle which was erected around 1070 on a high motte overlooking two baileys. In the 12th or 13th century a stone castle was erected by later members of the de Clare family who also by now had large holdings in south Wales and Thomond in North Munster. Initially there was a polygonal shell keep with unusual triangular buttresses. Later the castle was strengthened with stone walls on top of the earth banks, three towers and a gateway.
All that now remains of the castle is a high mound with a ruined tower. The extensive earth ramparts, which cover about 20 acres (81,000 m2), have been developed into a country park, called Clare Castle Country Park.
References
- Fry, Plantagenet Somerset, The David & Charles Book of Castles, David & Charles, 1980. ISBN 0-7153-7976-3
