medieval bailey castle devon england built following revolt devon norman rule formed centre honour guarding crossing point continued use fortification late 13th century owners new wealth redeveloped castle luxurious hunting lodge building new deer park stretched south castle constructing fashionable exploited views landscape prospered castle expanded accommodate growing household heavily involved 15th century wars roses frequently confiscated early century castle good condition executed henry_viii property abandoned left decay park rented crown parts castle reused 17th century 19th century completely ruined popular picturesque painters including renovation work began properly 20th century private ownership extensively castle acquired state 21st century controlled english_heritage operated tourist attraction history built following norman conquest england defeated anglo saxon forces battle hastings violence continued periodically years invasion norman lord responsible putting rebellion devon probably given extensive lands county time time book noted owner honour sheriff devon constable exeter castle honour grouping estates devon guarded castles including baldwin main castle owned tenants including baldwin castle positioned protect important route devon cornwall including formed crossing point control existing town castle protected castle guard system lands given baldwin tenants exchange contributing castle garrison baldwin established new town near castle kilometre away complete market mill grind grain town eventually dominated older anglo saxon settlement known baldwin death castle inherited daughter family appear taken little interest property played civil war known anarchy castle passed marriage son married daughter earl devon castle continued military utility richard assist royal defence devon carried building work castle installing new structures castle bailey robert followed son john son hugh inherited property castle reported comprise old worth outside hall chamber kitchen poorly built extent condition castle family line ran result hugh son hugh inherited family lands later confirmed earl devon hugh main seat castle hugh father redeveloped expanding facilities accommodation enable hunting lodge retreat extensive building work turned property luxurious residence development family created large new deer park castle replacing older hunting grounds deer parks important status symbol period nobles acquired power wealth time chose undertake similar projects creating park spread south castle cover hectares acres required clearing away older settlements castle abandoning fields settlements comprising long houses built warmer climate 12th early 13th century sustainable onset cooler climate began emerge end 13th land near castle later called field hold required packs dogs hunting castle deer park established farmed deer common lands wild hare hunted like rural castles occupants castle consumed relatively large prestige meat period come surrounding deer park prime cuts brought specially locations excavations shown addition fish large ponds park imported fish coast kilometres away herring commonly eaten continued years property passing hugh son hugh grandson edward great grandson hugh size noble households expanded period edward controlled castle extended household strong late 14th early 15th centuries facilities extended probably accommodate increased numbers 15th century embroiled civil conflict england known wars roses rival alliances fought reconciled son thomas died following capture battle confiscated later returned family died fighting battle castle confiscated took throne end conflict returned edward son william enjoyed turbulent political career time castle confiscated period son henry executed henry_viii properties confiscated permanently breaking link family castle death survey praised castle having manner houses offices time onwards castle appears abandoned left decay evidence lead stonework taken use projects castle deer park rented crown execution ownership castle remained important onwards ownership carried right appoint members parliament despite battle fought near english civil war castle played conflict established castle century parts western deer park 18th century farmland 18th century castle popular topic painters interested fashionable landscape styles sublime picturesque painted castle dramatically sky producing historian describes calm effect rendition went depicting surrounded imaginary lake painted castle friend sir conducted minor repairs castle 19th century centuries early 20th century bought local man cleared away vegetation grown castle conducted repairs stonework passed castle carried limited repairs coming decades works took site extensive restoration work subsequently carried extensive archaeological investigations carried 1970s site 21st century castle operated tourist attraction english_heritage protected law ancient monument grade listed building architecture built long thin rocky rising surrounding countryside stream runs north castle substantial medieval period provided additional protection south castle probably overlooked water logged fields castle built local stone nearby south east devon interior exterior stonework originally rendered lime plaster castle final design involved visitor entering north east long hill bailey south west bailey lay mounted castle structure shows results redesign start 14th century different forms architecture seen north main road carrying general public way past castle terms martial facade traditional military defences narrow windows defences seen deer park south property castle accommodation display low walls large windows similar architectural seen park effectively fused south castle chase running right property large windows eastern possible gaze appreciate extensive views seeing trace rural settlements nearby town result historian describes stunning built beginning 14th century contained guard room floor contains numerous holes construction masked exterior medieval period led gatehouse probably originally guarded containing accommodation castle constable castle bailey contained number buildings 14th century north great hall castle lit large decorative window kitchen wooden screen luxurious solar apartment south bailey western equipped accommodation guests built filling ditch bailey later converted chapel accommodation castle chaplain lay alongside chapel remaining plaster work shows walls painted red lines resemble cut stone far chapel eastern detailing mirrored castle property built period far bailey predominantly natural rock strengthened earth construction rest castle ditches stands metres high measures metres metres separated main castle ditches similar way windsor castle castle originally built 11th century massive stone walls storey high possibly high storeys redeveloped storey structure rectangular addition western early 14th century 11th century parts use granite stone probably taken river bed 14th century sets upper floor similar style bailey turret containing staircase survives unusual period devon strong defensive structure albeit independent source water facilities support garrison event siege rectangular 11th century keeps devon existed including typically associated king major nobles built fresh possible case largely natural able support heavy weight
Okehampton Castle