Beaudesert Castle

The earthworks, albeit quite clear ones, are all that remain of this former Norman Motte and Bailey castle in Henley-in-Arden, not far from Stratford in Warwickshire.

Built in the earliest days after the Norman conquest, and possibly on the site of an Ancient British fort, the original castle would, like most of the early Motte and Baileys, have been made mainly of wood, being gradually converted to stone as time went by, starting with the all-important defensive curtain wall.

The castle's design was of the simple Norman Motte and Bailey type which was so quick, simple and effective. The natural ridge that the castle is on was perfect from a defensive viewpoint, giving an excellent view over the countryside and a steep climb for attackers. Indeed, it is possible that it was the site of an Ancient British hill fort: it is close to an ancient track along the top of the ridge that would have been used to keep away from the dangerous, wooden valleys. It may also have been a Saxon earth fort: this may help to explain why the Normans chose the site. 

The surviving earthworks are unquestionably from this later period. The castle was - and is - surrounded by a deep moat, which surrounded the whole structure, and with separate ditches around the keep and inner bailey.

The entrance to the castle site now, along a footpath, is at the south end of the outer bailey.