Clan Rising
Buckenham Castle today

England · Partial ruin

Buckenham Castle

Buckenham Castle (the New Buckenham site) was a medieval fortress in Norfolk centred on an early circular stone keep and concentric earthwork baileys. Built by the Aubigny family in the 12th century and occupied through the 13th century, it was demolished in 1649 and today survives as earth ramparts, the moat and keep foundations. The scheduled site and nearby St Mary’s chapel/barn lie adjacent to the planned village of New Buckenham.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1263

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1263

What Buckenham Castle looked like in its prime.

A massive circular stone keep roughly sixty feet in diameter rises at the centre of concentric earthwork baileys; its masonry base would have been up to eleven feet thick and in prime about forty feet high. The keep stands within an inner bailey and two outer baileys defined by broad earthen ramparts and a surrounding moat. Surrounding terrain is meadow and pasture with scattered trees, and St Mary’s chapel/barn sits at the edge of the scheduled meadows.

Its story

The story of Buckenham Castle.

Old Buckenham Castle was built by William d'Aubigny, a follower of William the Conqueror. Early in the reign of King Stephen the Aubigny family built a new castle two miles to the south-east, centred on an early circular stone keep within concentric earthwork baileys, beside the planned village of New Buckenham.

The castle was besieged during the Barons' War in 1263. It later passed by marriage: Elizabeth Clifton, sister and eventual heiress of its mid-15th-century lord, married John Knyvett, carrying Buckenham to her Knyvett descendants, who moved here from their earlier seat at Southwick in Northamptonshire. The castle was demolished in 1649, and today the earth ramparts, moat and keep foundations survive as a scheduled site near St Mary's chapel.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1263.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Buckenham Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach across the meadow toward the earthworksAt the moat looking up to the concentric banks and keepInner bailey at the base of the circular keepOn an outer earthen rampart looking inwardTerraced or elevated plan view showing keep and baileysSt Mary's chapel/barn at the meadow edge

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The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1263, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Buckenham Castle.

The families that held Buckenham Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Aubigny

    Built by William d'Aubigny, a follower of William the Conqueror; the Aubigny family raised the new castle early in King Stephen's reign.

  • Knyvett

    Passed through Elizabeth Clifton's marriage to John Knyvett and held by her Knyvett descendants.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Buckenham Castle.

Carrow Road, EnglandStadiumCarrow Road23 km awayNorwich Cathedral, EnglandCathedralNorwich Cathedral24 km awayRAF Lakenheath, EnglandMilitary baseRAF Lakenheath35 km away

Questions about Buckenham Castle

What is the history of Buckenham Castle?

Buckenham Castle was built in the 12th century, early in the reign of King Stephen, as a new fortress raised by the Aubigny family. It was besieged during the Barons' War in 1263 and later passed through Elizabeth Clifton's marriage to John Knyvett. The fortress was demolished in 1649, leaving its earthworks, moat and keep foundations.

Why was Buckenham Castle built, and what was it used for?

Buckenham Castle was built as a fortress, with an inner bailey and two outer baileys serving the castle and its garrison. The planned settlement of New Buckenham was established to service the castle and garrison. No later change of purpose is described.

Where is Buckenham Castle?

Buckenham Castle is beside New Buckenham, in Norfolk, with the castle ruins and most of the surrounding scheduled land in the parish of Old Buckenham. The site lies adjacent to the planned village of New Buckenham, while St Mary's chapel/barn stands at the edge of the surrounding meadows.

When was Buckenham Castle built?

Buckenham Castle was built in the 12th century, early in King Stephen's reign. The site's first-raised year is not recorded, while the new castle is described as having been built by the Aubigny family during the early part of Stephen's reign.

Was Buckenham Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Buckenham Castle was besieged during the Barons' War in 1263. The supplied material does not identify the besieging force or state the immediate result, but the castle remained in existence afterwards and was not demolished until 1649.

Which family or clan held Buckenham Castle?

Buckenham Castle was built by the Aubigny family. William d'Aubigny, a follower of William the Conqueror, built the earlier Old Buckenham Castle, while the Aubigny family raised the new castle early in King Stephen's reign. It later passed through Elizabeth Clifton's marriage to John Knyvett and was held by her Knyvett descendants.

What did Buckenham Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Buckenham Castle had a massive circular stone keep roughly sixty feet in diameter, standing within an inner bailey and two outer baileys. The keep's masonry base was up to eleven feet thick and it may have risen about forty feet high. Broad earthen ramparts and a surrounding moat defined the baileys.

Is Buckenham Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Buckenham Castle is a partial ruin rather than a fully standing castle. It was demolished in 1649, and the surviving remains are the earth ramparts, the moat and the foundations of the circular keep. The site also retains traces of the castle's baileys, while the keep's remaining foundations are still visible.

Can you visit Buckenham Castle?

Buckenham Castle is private property. The ruins, earthworks, St Mary's chapel/barn and most of the surrounding meadows are within the scheduled site, which is also a Grade I Listed building and a Scheduled Monument.

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