22 June 2026 Old Sarum Castle

 

Just a quick post from todays travels. Old Sarum Castle is an ancient site about 17 miles Southwest of Stonehenge, and has been around probably as long as Stonehenge has. It isn't mentioned anywhere in my genealogy database, but as I walked around and read the story boards placed all over the Motte and Bailey Ruined Castle, it does have ties to some of my ancestors.


King Henry II imprisoned his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine here until 1189. Many of you don't know how she eventually turned on him, and supported hers sons in their rebellion against their father Henry. While there, henry did make improvements to Queen Eleanor's living quarters, to increase her comfort while imprisoned.


30 years later, King John dropped some coin into the castle, and built a great hall, to be used as a court and banquet hall. Unfortunately, the roof only lasted around 90 years before it collapsed. 

This picture is of the steps leading up to the central keep, or where it used to be. 

Around 1350, Edward III budgeted some funds to repair the castle, but the repairs never happened, and the castle fell into further ruin. By 1514, Henry VIII sold what was left of the castle to a man named Thomas Compton, with instructions to demolish what was left, and sell what he could for building materials. 

Several excavations took place in 1909 and 1915, and it was decided that the castle was far too gone to be of any use. The English Heritage Trust eventually took over the site, and they still manage it today. 



While the castle was in use, a cathedral was built right next to it, but by 1220, the cathedral was demolished in favor of building a newer one in Salisbury, which survives today.





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