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.
First raised
1281
Its prime
1359
Today
Partial ruin
As it stood in 1359
The shape it held 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 walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more rooms of the immersive experience.
Create History
Recreate Somerton Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1359 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate Castle to Explore →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.
