Monument record MDO46297 - Dorchester Castle, North Square, Dorchester
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Summary
A castle stood in the North part of Dorchester, the site later occupied by the prison.
Map
Type and Period (3)
Full Description
Between 1154-75 it was in possession of the Earl of Cornwall and had become a royal possession by 1185. According to Hutchins, the castle occupied 6 acres, had a prominent mound, the defences being oval in shape, which implies that it was a motte and bailey. The earliest documentary evidence is of 1137 when it was strengthened by the Count of Gloucester. There are several references to it in the reigns of both John and Henry III, particularly to expenditure on repairs to buildings in the castle rather than repairs to the defences. It appears to have been disused from about 1290, and there are references to its stonework being reused to build the Greyfriars in 1309. Excavations have located the main ditch in two places. <1-4>
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SDO18003 Monograph: Allen Brown, R, Colvin, H M, and Taylor, A J. 1963. The history of the King's Works, Volume 2: the Middle Ages. 629.
- <2> SDO148 Monograph: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 1970. An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 1. Volume Two (South East) Part I. 105.
- <3> SDO9690 Monograph: Draper, J and Chaplin, C. 1982. Dorchester Excavations Volume 1: Excavations at Wadham House 1968; Dorchester Prison 1970, 1975 and 1978; and Glyde Path Road 1966. 27-60.
- <4> SDO19852 Monograph: Allen Brown, R. 1989. Castles, conquest and charters: collected papers. 107.
- <5> SDO14739 Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 1386099.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (2)
Related Events/Activities (4)
- Event - Intervention: Colliton Street Youth Centre, Dorchester; evaluation 1998 (EDO3907)
- Event - Intervention: Dorchester Prison Car Park; observations and recording 1985 (EDO4543)
- Event - Intervention: Dorchester Prison, North Square, Dorchester; excavation 1970 (EDO4364)
- Event - Intervention: Dorchester Prison, North Square, Dorchester; excavation 1970 Trench 1 (EDO4362)
Location
| Grid reference | SY 6920 9089 (point) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | SY69SE |
| Civil Parish | Dorchester; Dorset |
| Unitary Authority | Dorset |
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Other Statuses/References
- Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: SY 69 SE 268
- Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 1386099
Record last edited
May 24 2023 10:49AM