 The original castle was probably built of wood in an
almost perfect circular shape shortly after the Norman Conquest. In about 1100 a square projecting gateway was added.
In the latter part of the 13th century the timber keep was replaced by stone.
The circular stone keep has battlements all around and a complete walk behind them.
The internal buildings were replaced in stone by Edmund, Earl of Cornwall at the
end of the 13th century. He built domestic buildings together with barracks for the
garrison and a chapel alongside the castle to the east. In 1337 the castle was given
to the Black Prince, 1st Duke of Cornwall who restored the keep and on two occasions kept
court there.
Thereafter the castle remained the property
of the Princes of Wales.
During the Civil War the castle was briefly
be-sieged and by 1649 a Parlimentary Commission reported that the castle was in a state of
ruin.
In the 18th and 19th centuries the castle
became ivy-covered and totally hidden in its wooded site.
At the end of 19th century the castle was
uncovered and in 1925 it was handed over to the then Ministry of Works. |
Restormel Castle
