Clan Rising
Somerton Castle today

England · Partial ruin

Somerton Castle

Somerton Castle is a medieval moated castle site west of Boothby Graffoe in Lincolnshire, built from 1281 and held by the crown through much of the 14th century. Today only fragments of walls and enclosures survive, some incorporated into later farm buildings; the site retains visible traces of the moat and bailey layout. The castle was used as a royal holding and underwent significant repairs and alterations in the 14th century.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1281

Its prime

1359

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1359

What Somerton Castle looked like in its prime.

A roughly rectangular 14th‑century castle set in a water-filled moat on low-lying farmland, with stone curtain walls linking four corner towers (one tower taller than the others). The main defensive front faced south with open-backed artillery towers before the outer bailey; a gatehouse gave entry to a cobbled inner court. The west range contained the great hall and chapel under a continuous pitched roofline, with domestic ranges and service buildings clustered against the inner walls.

Its story

The story of Somerton Castle.

Antony Bek, who inherited Somerton from his mother Eva de Gray, built the castle after being granted a licence to crenellate in 1281, and gave it to King Edward II in 1309. Its plan, a moated rectangle with corner towers, has most in common with 14th- and 15th-century castles such as Maxstoke, Wingfield and, in particular, Cooling in Kent.

Its most famous prisoner was King John II of France, held here in 1359–60 after his capture at the Battle of Poitiers; Sir Saier de Rochford, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, was allowed two shillings a day for his safekeeping. Earlier, in 1335–36, Countess Alice de Lacy of Bolingbroke was held at Somerton after her abduction by Baron Hugh de Fresne, the pair married without royal authority and were confined on Edward III's order in separate towers.

Sir Ralph Rochford, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, was granted the castle in 1408, and from 1415 to 1478 it was held from the king by the Dukes of Clarence, suffering waste, dilapidation and strip. It continued as crown property until Charles I sold it in 1628, and has been privately owned since; what remains of the castle walls is incorporated into the present farmhouse.

Step inside

7 places to explore in 1359.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Somerton Castle, including 2 interiors: great hall (interior), interior of a corner tower (prison chamber). 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 south across the outer bailey and moatSouthern gatehouse and forward open-backed towersCobbled inner courtWest range showing the great hall and chapel (exterior)Great hall (interior)Interior of a corner tower (prison chamber)Moat and surrounding low-lying landscape

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Whose castle

Clans who held Somerton Castle.

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

  • Bek

    Built by Antony Bek under a 1281 licence to crenellate; he gave it to Edward II in 1309.

  • Rochford

    Granted to Sir Ralph Rochford, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, in 1408; Sir Saier de Rochford had earlier kept King John II of France here.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Somerton Castle.

Sincil Bank, EnglandStadiumSincil Bank11 km awayLincoln Cathedral, EnglandCathedralLincoln Cathedral13 km awayBelton House, EnglandMuseumBelton House20 km away

Questions about Somerton Castle

What is the history of Somerton Castle?

Somerton Castle was a 13th-century castle built after Antony Bek received a licence to crenellate in 1281. Bek gave it to Edward II in 1309, and it later held notable prisoners including King John II of France in 1359–60. The castle remained crown property until Charles I sold it in 1628, after which it passed into private ownership.

What is inside Somerton Castle?

The surviving interior features of Somerton Castle include the great hall and a corner-tower prison chamber. The west side contained the great hall and chapel beneath a continuous pitched roofline, while domestic ranges and service buildings stood against the inner walls. Much of the remaining castle fabric is incorporated into the present farmhouse.

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

Somerton Castle was built as a fortified royal holding, with a moat, curtain walls, corner towers and defensive approaches protecting its inner bailey. It was later used for royal custody, including the imprisonment of King John II of France and Countess Alice de Lacy. Repairs and alterations in the 14th century strengthened its domestic and defensive buildings.

Where is Somerton Castle?

Somerton Castle is about one mile west of Boothby Graeffoe, in Lincolnshire, south of Lincoln. It stands on low-lying land between the Lincoln Edge and the River Witham, in the parish of Boothby Graeffoe and the Manor of Waddington.

When was Somerton Castle built?

Somerton Castle was first raised in 1281, placing its construction in the 13th century. Its plan and major defensive arrangement are associated with 14th-century castle design, and the site underwent significant repairs and alterations during the 14th century.

Which family or clan held Somerton Castle?

Somerton Castle was held by the Bek and Rochford families. Antony Bek built it under a 1281 licence to crenellate and gave it to Edward II in 1309; Sir Ralph Rochford, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, was granted the castle in 1408. Sir Saier de Rochford had earlier kept King John II of France there.

What did Somerton Castle look like in its prime?

Somerton Castle was a roughly rectangular stone castle surrounded by a water-filled moat. Curtain walls linked four corner towers, with one tower taller than the others; the southern defensive front had open-backed artillery towers and a gatehouse leading to a cobbled inner court. The west range held the great hall and chapel beneath a continuous pitched roofline.

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

Somerton Castle is now a partial ruin, with fragments of walls and enclosures surviving. Visible remains include parts of the moat and the bailey layout, while the remaining castle walls are incorporated into the present farmhouse. A 1601 survey described it as utterly defaced and almost fallen to the ground, although one tower was nearly full height.

Who built Somerton Castle?

Somerton Castle was commissioned by Antony Bek, who inherited Somerton from his mother, Eva de Gray. He built it after receiving a licence to crenellate in 1281 and gave it to Edward II in 1309. No separate architect or designer is identified in the supplied material.

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