Dunham Castle, Medieval motte-and-bailey castle in Dunham Massey, England.
Dunham Castle is a motte-and-bailey fortification with an earthen mound measuring about 24 meters across and standing roughly 2 meters tall. The mound is now surrounded by an ornamental lake that historically served as a defensive moat.
The site was first recorded in 1173 when Hamon de Massey held it during a revolt against King Henry II. It gradually fell into disuse and was abandoned by 1362.
The site reflects how Norman settlers established control through military structures that dominated the landscape. People today can see how this fortification once represented power and authority in the region.
The castle mound is situated within the National Trust property at Dunham Massey and remains freely accessible to visitors. Wear comfortable shoes as the ground is uneven and can become slippery after rain.
The former moat was gradually transformed into a decorative garden lake over centuries, showing how the site shifted from military use to ornamental landscape. This conversion reveals how medieval structures adapted as their strategic importance faded.
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