More information : (TG 50481229) Castle (NR) (remains of) (NAT) (1)
Caister Castle was built for Sir John Fastolf from 1432 to circa 1446. It was a brick building rectangular in plan, with angle towers. The principal remains of the castle are the north-western angle tower of the main building and the north and west adjoining curtain walls. The surrounding moat has been partially filled in. The internal building remains of the main castle block have been determined by the sinking of trail holes by Mr Hamblen-Thomas. The north east outwork of the castle is thought to be older than the main block.
See plans. (2,3)
Large brick castle with square inner ward with two outer platforms and wet moats. Main ward had one very lofty round tower, and flanking square and round towers. There is another large round tower on one outwork which contained a watergate. Begun in 1432, it was taken in a private war in 1469 when the Duke of Norfolk took it from the Pastons. (4)
There are three gunports in the north-west tower and several gunports in the curtain wall. (5)
It is the only English example of a `Wasserburg', a water-ringed castle common in the Rhineland and Flanders, and it was one of the first major brick built buildings in England. The castle is built on a large maoted platform divided by a cross-moat, surrounded by a curtain wall. A slim tower rises from the South-West corner, a feature unique in England. An inventory of 1470 shows that it had an unusual amount of artillery, 20 pieces. The loops in the curtain wall are for handguns while those of the tower mounted heavier ordnance. The castle endured a 6-week siege in 1469 before being taken by the Duke of Norfolk with a force of 3000 men and many guns. (60 |