Clan Rising
Eye Castle today

England · Partial ruin

Eye Castle

Eye Castle is a medieval motte-and-bailey castle in the town of Eye, Suffolk. Founded soon after the Norman Conquest, it was largely destroyed after being sacked in 1265; a Victorian dwelling was later built on the motte and itself fell into ruin.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1190

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1190

What Eye Castle looked like in its prime.

A large, steep hemispherical motte some 49 m across and about 12 m high dominates a roughly rectangular bailey approximately 122 by 76 m. In the castle's prime a stone keep and curtain wall crowned the motte, linked to an inner bailey defended by earthworks and two square stone towers on the north side. Building fabric would be regional flint and coursed stone; the bailey is an enclosed grassed court set within substantial earthen banks and outer ditch.

Its story

The story of Eye Castle.

Eye Castle was built shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066, a motte-and-bailey held by the Malet family, who also controlled the Honour of Eye, a significant collection of estates centring on the castle, and the park of Eye. It was protected by the castle-guard system, under which local lands were granted to minor lords in exchange for knights and soldiers for its defence.

During the Anarchy of 1138–1154 much of the fighting fell on East Anglia, where the powerful Bigod family under Hugh Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, expanded their autonomy until they dominated the region. Eye's end came in 1265, when the castle was attacked and sacked during the Second Barons' War and subsequently largely abandoned.

Sir Edward Kerrison built a stone house on the motte in 1844; it decayed into ruin and became known as Kerrison's Folly. Historically the Lord of the Manor of Eye Sokemere is Constable of the Castle, a title that resides today with the Palmer family of Haughley.

Step inside

5 places to explore in 1190.

The record describes 5 distinct spots at Eye Castle, including 1 interior: summit: keep on top of the motte. 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 at foot of motteSummit: keep on top of the motteNorth inner bailey: twin square towersBailey interior / market placeBailey ramparts and outer ditch

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The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1190, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Eye Castle.

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

  • Malet

    Held the castle and the surrounding Honour of Eye after the Norman Conquest.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Eye Castle.

Sutton Hoo, EnglandAncient siteSutton Hoo29 km awayPortman Road, EnglandStadiumPortman Road29 km awayCarrow Road, EnglandStadiumCarrow Road35 km away

Questions about Eye Castle

What is the history of Eye Castle?

Eye Castle dates from the 11th century, built shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066 as a motte-and-bailey castle. The Malet family held it and the Honour of Eye before it became a royal castle for a period. It was attacked and sacked during the Second Barons’ War in 1265, after which it was largely abandoned.

What is inside Eye Castle / what can you see in it?

The summit of Eye Castle has the remains of the keep on top of the motte. The surviving site also includes the castle mound, stone fragments and the former bailey, but the available description does not identify surviving rooms or complete interior spaces.

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

Eye Castle was built as a motte-and-bailey stronghold for the Malet family and the Honour of Eye. Its bailey contained a market whose income went to the castle’s owner. It was later used partly as a prison, while a workhouse and a school were built inside the bailey in the 1830s.

Where is Eye Castle?

Eye Castle is in the town of Eye, in Suffolk. It stands within the town and is described as a medieval motte-and-bailey castle with a prominent Victorian addition.

When was Eye Castle built?

Eye Castle was built in the 11th century, shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its first-raised year is not recorded, while the surviving castle developed through later phases, including a stone keep, curtain wall and late-12th-century towers.

Was Eye Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Yes. Eye Castle was attacked by Hugh Bigod in 1173, although the attack failed and the castle had to be rebuilt. It was attacked and sacked again in 1265 during the Second Barons’ War, after which it was largely abandoned.

Which family or clan held Eye Castle?

The Malet family held Eye Castle and the surrounding Honour of Eye after the Norman Conquest. The family also controlled the park of Eye, with the castle at the centre of its estates.

What did Eye Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Eye Castle had a large, steep hemispherical motte about 49 metres across and 12 metres high. A stone keep and curtain wall crowned the motte, linked to an inner bailey with earthworks and two square stone towers on the north side. The bailey was enclosed by substantial banks and an outer ditch.

Is Eye Castle still standing / is it a ruin?

Eye Castle is a partial ruin. The mound and some stone fragments of the original castle remain, while a later stone house built on the motte in 1844 decayed into ruin and became known as Kerrison’s Folly. The castle was largely destroyed after being sacked in 1265.

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