Denham Castle, Medieval castle in Gazeley, England
Denham Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey fortification in Gazeley featuring a circular earthwork ringed by a substantial ditch. The site displays the typical medieval defensive layout with an elevated mound at one corner and the outer enclosure extending behind it.
The fortification was built by Normans following 1066 and served as a key stronghold during the civil unrest of the 12th century under Stephen. It lost its military importance under Henry II, when numerous medieval fortresses in Suffolk were dismantled.
The site reflects Norman building methods introduced after 1066, demonstrating how local lords asserted control through military structures. The layout reveals how such fortifications shaped daily life and settlement patterns in medieval Suffolk.
The site is covered in grass and accessible from multiple directions, particularly from the southern approach. Sturdy footwear is recommended as the ground can be uneven and muddy depending on the season.
Excavations uncovered pottery fragments including one piece possibly dating to the Roman period, long before the Norman fortress was built. This discovery suggests the area had been occupied for centuries before the medieval structure appeared.
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