Dudley Castle Built In 1071
Located in the English town of Dudley the Dudley Castle was constructed by the Normans in around 1071. Over the centuries this castle which is now in ruins experienced some serious changes.
It is believed that the earliest Dudley Castle may have been built completely by wood. Most records of the castle dates back to the Norman Conquest that took place in 1066. It is believed that the castle was initially built by Ansculf who was among the Conqueror’s followers. Later Ansculfs son William FitzAnsculf owned the castle. Notable earthworks from the initial castle still remain. One such example is the ‘motte’ which is a huge mound on which the current castle keep sits today.
The first stone castle was built by the Paganel family who owned the Dudley Castle soon after William FitzAnsculf. As a result of a dispute King Henry II ordered that the fortress be destroyed in 1173.
It was during the Somery Dynasty the Dudley Castle was rebuilt in stone once again on the very same site. The reconstruction phase took place during the 13th and 14th century. The main gate and the keep that is quite prominent even today is a result of the restoration phase carried out by the Somerys who incorporated new additions to the castle such as the great hall and the chapel.
Following the death of the last male of the Somery dynasty the ownership of the castle was passed on to Margaret his sister and her husband John de Sutton. With time members of the Sutton family began to use Dudley as their surname.
1st Duke of Northumberland John Dudley was responsible for creating a series of new buildings within the old castle. Later on the castle turned out to be a Royalist stronghold during the time of the English Civil War. Thereafter the Cromwell forces surrendered the Dudley Castle in 1646. Following this the parliament decided unanimously that the castle be partly destroyed. The present day ruins are a result of the parliamentary verdict.
The Dudley Castle that carries immense historical significance can be further explored by staying at a nearby well appointed Dudley Hotel. For instance Copthorne Hotel Merry Hill Dudley is a fine contemporary accommodation that features a range of impressive facilities.
About the writer: Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
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