Fenny Castle, Medieval motte-and-bailey castle in Wookey, England
Fenny Castle is a medieval motte-and-bailey fortress situated on a natural Lias hillock rising roughly 20 meters above the flat Somerset Levels terrain. The site displays the characteristic earthwork form with its raised mound and bailey enclosure, showing evidence of Norman construction techniques.
The fortress was founded around 1140 and first appeared in records during 1327 when William atte Castle held ownership. By 1480 it was already noted as ruins, marking a swift decline from its established period.
The remains display Norman building methods visible in foundations and scattered artifacts across the site. These traces show how medieval craftsmen constructed their fortifications using local techniques.
The site is registered as a protected monument, so access is limited and should be approached with respect for the archaeological remains. The elevated location offers views across the surrounding landscape, though the terrain requires sturdy footwear to navigate safely.
Workers uncovered roughly 20 human skeletons during 19th-century quarrying that predate the castle's construction. These discoveries suggest the location held importance long before the fortress was built, revealing deeper layers of the site's past.
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