Great Canfield Castle, Medieval fortress in Great Canfield, England
Great Canfield Castle is a medieval fortress built as a motte-and-bailey structure with a massive earthen mound about 280 feet across and nearly 50 feet high, surrounded by water features fed by the River Roding. The central mound once held timber buildings and was protected by ditches and banks forming a multi-layered defense system.
The castle was built in the late 11th or early 12th century by the de Vere family as part of Norman settlement in the region. The site was eventually abandoned, leaving behind only the earthworks that define its shape today.
This castle represents Norman military architecture and shows how feudal control was established in Essex after the conquest. The site reflects how early invaders demonstrated their power through massive earthworks and strategic positioning.
The remains are within walking distance of St Mary's Church and are accessible year-round without charge. There is no visitor center or guided tours on site, so reading about motte-and-bailey structures beforehand helps you understand what you are looking at.
In the 1130s the castle included an engineered water system that diverted a river tributary to flood the moat, creating a sophisticated defense mechanism. This shows how Norman engineers adapted the natural landscape to strengthen their fortifications.
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