Clan Rising

Faringdon Castle

Faringdon Castle was a short-lived Norman fortification built in 1144 on Folly Hill just outside the market town of Faringdon by Robert, Earl of Gloucester during the civil war known as the Anarchy. It was besieged by King Stephen's forces and surrendered after four days; the castle was destroyed within a year or two. The site later became the location of a 20th-century brick folly tower.

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Its prime

1144

Today

Demolished

As it stood in 1144

What Faringdon Castle looked like in its prime.

Perched on Folly Hill, the castle at its prime is a compact hilltop stronghold defined by a continuous earthen rampart faced by a timber stockade and palisade; a single timber gate provides the only entrance. Inside are clustered wooden buildings and soldiers' tents, wooden walkways and watch platforms built on the stockade, and a cleared interior space for the garrison. The hill drops to open farmland with the town of Faringdon visible below; the fortification is intact and actively manned.

Its story

The story of Faringdon Castle.

Faringdon Castle was built in 1144, on the site now known as Folly Hill, by Robert, Earl of Gloucester in support of Matilda during the Anarchy. The contemporary Gesta Stephani records it "strongly fortified by a rampart and stockade", garrisoned with "the flower of his whole army" to restrain the king's soldiers who had been raiding out of Oxford and the castles round about.

A few weeks after it was built the castle was besieged by Stephen, and after four days the castellan, Brian De Soulis, surrendered; the castle was destroyed within a year or two. In the 1930s Lord Berners built the 104-foot brick tower known as Faringdon Folly on the site, and the story of the castle and Brian de Soulis figures in Ellis Peters's last Cadfael chronicle, Brother Cadfael's Penance.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1144.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Faringdon Castle, including 1 interior: interior enclosed by the rampart and stockade. 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 from the market town of FaringdonBase of the hill where besieging forces assemblePrimary timber gateway through the stockadeInterior enclosed by the rampart and stockadeWatch platform on the timber palisadeView from the rampart toward town and farmland

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Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Faringdon Castle.

Uffington White Horse, EnglandAncient siteUffington White Horse9 km awayRAF Brize Norton, EnglandMilitary baseRAF Brize Norton10 km awayRAF Fairford, EnglandMilitary baseRAF Fairford15 km away

Questions about Faringdon Castle

What is the history of Faringdon Castle?

Faringdon Castle was built in the 12th century to support Matilda during the Anarchy. Robert, Earl of Gloucester, raised it in 1144 on Folly Hill, and it was strongly fortified and garrisoned. A few weeks later, Stephen besieged it; after four days the castellan surrendered, and the castle was destroyed within a year or two. In the 1930s, Lord Berners built a brick folly tower on the site.

What is inside Faringdon Castle?

Inside Faringdon Castle was a cleared space for the garrison, with clustered wooden buildings and soldiers’ tents. Wooden walkways and watch platforms were built on the stockade, while the interior was enclosed by the earthen rampart and timber stockade. These features describe the fortification’s interior rather than surviving rooms.

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

Faringdon Castle was built as a military stronghold supporting Matilda during the Anarchy. Robert, Earl of Gloucester, used its position to restrain King Stephen’s soldiers raiding from Oxford and nearby castles. It was garrisoned with soldiers and strongly fortified by a rampart and stockade; it was later destroyed within a year or two.

Where is Faringdon Castle?

Faringdon Castle stood on Folly Hill just outside the market town of Faringdon. The site is in the area historically described as Berkshire and administratively now Oxfordshire, about 17 kilometres north-east of Swindon. Faringdon is the nearest named town and is visible below the hill from the fortification.

When was Faringdon Castle built?

Faringdon Castle was built in 1144, in the 12th century. Robert, Earl of Gloucester, raised it on the site now known as Folly Hill during the Anarchy. The material does not give a more precise date for when the castle was first raised beyond this year.

Was Faringdon Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Faringdon Castle was besieged by Stephen a few weeks after it was built. The siege lasted four days, after which Brian De Soulis, the castellan, surrendered. The castle therefore fell to Stephen’s forces and was destroyed within a year or two.

What did Faringdon Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Faringdon Castle was a compact hilltop stronghold with a continuous earthen rampart faced by a timber stockade and palisade. A single timber gate formed the only entrance, while wooden buildings, tents, walkways and watch platforms occupied the interior. The hill fell towards open farmland, with Faringdon visible below.

Is Faringdon Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Faringdon Castle is demolished and no longer survives as the Norman fortification. It was destroyed within a year or two of its surrender after the four-day siege. In the 1930s, Lord Berners built the 104-foot brick tower known as Faringdon Folly on the site.

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