Donnington Castle

Today I am lucky.  The archaeology team, Sarah and Alex, from West Berkshire Council are giving the volunteers who work at the museum the chance to have a tour, both inside (not as far as the roof for health and safety reasons) and out of the wonderful iconic asset that is the ruined Donnington Castle.  Here is our group. 

Donnington Castle is a Grade 1 listed building, a scheduled monument and a registered park and garden.  Although it is the site of the the second battle of Newbury, it is not a registered battlefield.  English Heritage looks after the site which is owned by the nation, or the Queen, or all of us.  We aren't quite sure but we do feel a sense of awe when we consider all the events that took place on this spot.  

The first record we have of the castle comes from the fourteenth century. In 1386, Sir Richard Abbebury was given licence to crenalate by King Richard II, which means permission to make a manor into a castle.  There is mention of a rebuild, but what was on the site before is unknown and there will be no further excavation due to the Grade 1 listing status.  A shame in some ways, as there is a rich history below our feet.  Limited excavations did take place in the 1920s.  A medieval tile was found and a cobbled surface and well.  

Sir Richard wished to increase his defensive capabilty and the hill top positon is thus ideal.  In fact though, the castle is as much a status symbol, a display of wealth and pomp. In many ways it is not a serious defensive building; it has large windows and no dundgeons.  But imposimg it is.  I live on the other side of town but from several vantage points I can see the impressive and imposing single tower.  

The castle was built using Berkshire flint and also used some chalk.  The scattered brick which can be seen in my photos was added much later as repair work after the disastrous civil war of the seventeenth century.  

There was a draw bridge and a ditch round this Gatehouse, which is the only remaining tower.  

This is the quadrilateral large green behind the Gatehouse.  Donnington Castle was originally built in a roughly rectangular form, with the green above as the interior.  It was enclosed by a curtain wall, with a round tower at each of the four corners. Roughly halfway along the two walls running from west to east were two square towers. The green enclosed by the curtain walls would probably have contained a hall, kitchens, and accommodation for guests.  

 

Above is a drain from the drop toilet. 

In the middle of the picture below is the head of a medieval lady.  Her purpose is purely decorative.  Various gargoyles are also scattered around. 

 

This pretty window could have been part of the chapel though there is one on the other side too. 

At last we are allowed entry by the key holder.  

The beautiful original fourteenth century vaulted ceiling of the gate house has a few cobwebs (wish I had my long feather duster) but is otherwise in great condition.  It is possible that William de Winford was the architect but nothing is certain.  

Here we all are in the ground floor of the tower. 

We climb the sprial staircase to the next floor.  It is in good condition but dusty.  

It is felt that this was a dove cote

Several important historical figures are associated with the Castle.  These include Elizabeth I and the son of Geoffrey Chaucer, Thomas who bought the castle in 1398, as a residence for his daughter Alice who later became Duchess of Suffolk. 

This family later fell out with the Tudor monarchs, and the castle became a royal property.  Elizabeth 1 and Henry VIII visited several times.  In 1600, Elizabeth I gave the castle and surrounding manor to Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham.   

The most important and significant history is the fateful one the English Civil War.  By the time the war broke out in 1643, the castle was owned by the Parliamentarian John Packer but after the First Battle of Newbury it was taken for the King, Charles I and held by Sir John Boys tenaciously. They quickly enhanced the castle's defences by adding earthworks in a star shape to provide gun emplacements.  Parliamentarians laid siege to the castle in October 1644 and the garrison held out for 18 months. With permission from the king, Boys surrendered the castle in April 1646 and was allowed to leave with all his men.   It was a long and bitter siege with great loss of life.  Sir John thought nothing of burning the village down to put off any assailants.  He had gained a great deal of the respect from the other side and thus walked free. 

In 1646 Parliament voted to demolish what was left of the castle; only the gatehouse was left standing though the 17th century earthworks can still be seen.  What a crime.  

The castle stayed in the Packer family until the mid 18th century, when Robert Packer married Mary Winchcombe, and the property passed into her family until 1881. However after the war it was never lived in again.  It became a popular tourist spot for the Victoroans, who were fond of romantic ruins.  There are records of a drinking room during the era. 

We have had a brilliant morning.   I am now imagining all the ways that this site could be improved.  It could take a leaf out of the book of Kirklees Abbey in Leeds which has a play area and cafe.  People would pay a few pounds to enter the Gatehouse.  Wake up English Heritage.