Malmesbury Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Malmesbury, England
Malmesbury Castle was a medieval fortification featuring a central mounded earthwork surrounded by defensive walls, built close to the abbey. The structure served as a military stronghold within the town.
Bishop Roger of Salisbury built this fortress in 1118, and it became an important defensive position during the civil conflicts of the 12th century. The stronghold was caught up in the struggles between rival rulers.
The fortress stood directly beside Malmesbury Abbey, creating a striking contrast between military power and religious life in the medieval town. This proximity shaped how the two institutions coexisted in daily life.
No visible remains of the fortress exist today, though archaeological research indicates it stood near the current location of The Old Bell Hotel. You can visit the area to explore the site and learn about medieval town development.
The fortress was surrounded by three counter-fortifications built against it in the 1140s, including an earthwork at Cam's Hill that still stands today. This unusual siege construction reveals how fiercely forces competed to control this strategic position.
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