| Summary : Site of a castle attributed eirther to the Count of Mortain, or built as an adulterine castle in the Anarchy. The site was levelled in 1840 for the construction of a cattle market, whereupon the foundations for the castle were revealed. Subsequently, the area has been further developed, during which a watching brief was carried out, although no masonry or other material relative to the castle were found. |
More information : (SW 82304509) Cattle Market. On site of a Castle (NR) (1)
The castle stood at the head of the town on a raised circular area, but by circa 1270 it is described as a vacant plot. The site was levelled in 1840 for the construction of the cattle market and the foundations of the castle were revealed. These consisted of a circular wall of unmortared local slate stone 3ft thick and 75ft in diameter. There was a small room adjoining the entrance at the SE.
The date is uncertain but is probably of the troubled years 1135-1154; it would then have been demolished with similar castles of that period circa 1154 by orders of Henry II in order to curb the robber-barons. (2-3)
The castle was probably built by the Count of Mortain, the Norman Earl of Cornwall to whom William had granted lands. (4)
The castle could have been a "Shell Keep", being designed to stand on an artificial mound which would not take the weight of a solid tower. The walls were usually 8 ft to 10 ft thick and 20 ft to 25 ft high. (5)
Additional references. (6)
The site of the castle is occupied by new County Courts, currently under construction. A watching brief, carried out by the County Museum and Cornwall Archaeological Unit, found no masonry or other material relative to the castle and it is presumed that these were swept away previously, perhaps when the former cattle market was made. (7) |