Clan Rising

Newbury Castle

Newbury Castle is the name given to an adulterine castle site built by John Marshal during The Anarchy, northwest of Newbury and associated with a siege by King Stephen in 1152. The visible remains today are three earthen mottes near the village of Hamstead Marshall. The site is known from medieval chronicles rather than surviving masonry.

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Its prime

1152

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1152

What Newbury Castle looked like in its prime.

At its prime the site comprised three prominent conical earthen mottes rising from open Berkshire pasture near the village of Hamstead Marshall, each mound forming a steep-sided, grassy cone punctuating a low agricultural skyline. The mottes were surmounted by compact fortified platforms (timber superstructures would have topped the summits), with surrounding fields, hedgerows and scattered thatched cottages in the foreground; no extensive stone curtain walls dominate the silhouette.

Its story

The story of Newbury Castle.

John Marshal's Adulterine Castle

Newbury Castle was an adulterine castle built by John Marshal during the Anarchy. It stood west of the town of Newbury, in Berkshire, in what is now West Berkshire.

King Stephen's Siege, 1152

The History of William the Marshal describes King Stephen besieging the castle in 1152 and holding Marshal's son William hostage against Newbury's surrender. When the elder Marshal refused to comply, Stephen threatened to have the young boy catapulted over the walls. John, whom Henry of Huntingdon called 'that child of hell and root of all evil', answered defiantly: 'I have the anvils and the hammer to forge still better sons.' Stephen relented, and the boy survived.

The Three Mottes at Hamstead Marshall

The castle appears proudly on the town's coat of arms, yet it does not appear to have been built at Newbury at all, but four miles away in the village of Hamstead Marshall. The mottes of three castles can be found there, which would be consistent with the general tactics of siege warfare in this medieval period.

Step inside

5 places to explore in 1152.

The record describes 5 distinct spots at Newbury 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 from Hamstead Marshall laneSummit of the main motteSummits of the two secondary mottesKing Stephen's siege camp and approachesEdge of Hamstead Marshall looking to the mottes

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Whose castle

Clans who held Newbury Castle.

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

  • Marshal

    Built by John Marshal during The Anarchy and held by him against King Stephen's siege of 1152.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Newbury Castle.

Highclere Castle, EnglandPalaceHighclere Castle8 km awayUffington White Horse, EnglandAncient siteUffington White Horse23 km awayAvebury, EnglandAncient siteAvebury32 km away

Questions about Newbury Castle

What is the history of Newbury Castle?

Newbury Castle was built during The Anarchy as an adulterine castle by John Marshal. King Stephen besieged it in 1152 and held Marshal’s young son, William, hostage against its surrender. When Marshal refused, Stephen threatened to catapult the boy over the walls, but relented after Marshal’s defiant reply, and William survived.

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

Newbury Castle was built as an adulterine castle during The Anarchy, serving as a fortified stronghold held by John Marshal. Its strategic purpose is also reflected in its siege by King Stephen in 1152. The site consisted of three mottes near Hamstead Marshall rather than a masonry castle in Newbury itself.

Where is Newbury Castle?

Newbury Castle is near the village of Hamstead Marshall, four miles from Newbury, in West Berkshire. Although it carries Newbury’s name and appears on the town’s coat of arms, the castle site is associated with three mottes near Hamstead Marshall. It lies in the historic county of Berkshire.

Was Newbury Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Newbury Castle was besieged by King Stephen in 1152. Stephen held John Marshal’s young son, William Marshal, hostage to force the castle’s surrender and threatened to catapult him over the walls. John Marshal refused to comply; Stephen eventually relented, and the boy survived. The record does not state that the castle fell.

Which family or clan held Newbury Castle?

Newbury Castle was held by the Marshal family, represented here by John Marshal. He built the castle during The Anarchy and held it against King Stephen’s siege in 1152. The siege is remembered for Stephen’s taking of John Marshal’s young son, William, as a hostage.

What did Newbury Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Newbury Castle comprised three prominent conical earthen mottes rising from open Berkshire pasture near Hamstead Marshall. Each steep-sided, grassy mound carried a compact fortified platform, probably topped by a timber superstructure. The skyline was marked by the mottes, fields, hedgerows and scattered thatched cottages rather than extensive stone curtain walls.

Is Newbury Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Newbury Castle is now a ruin, with three earthen mottes surviving near Hamstead Marshall. The site is known from medieval chronicles rather than surviving masonry. Its visible remains are the mottes themselves, not extensive stone walls or a preserved timber fortress.

When was Newbury Castle built?

Newbury Castle was built during The Anarchy, before King Stephen’s siege in 1152. The first-raised year is not recorded, so the record does not give a precise construction date. Its association with the 1152 siege places the castle’s documented history in the medieval period.

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