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Stogursey Castle today

England · Partial ruin

Stogursey Castle

Stogursey Castle is a medieval motte-and-bailey castle in Somerset, England. Most of the earthworks and stone walls survive as ruins, while the former gatehouse within the site has been restored and is used as a holiday rental.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1300

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1300

What Stogursey Castle looked like in its prime.

A broad, low motte about 60 metres across rises from a water-filled moat fed by a nearby brook; atop it sit substantial pale-brown to grey rubble stone curtain walls and a large rectangular stone mass where the keep or inner strongpoint stood. Two bailey enclosures lie adjacent, defined by lower stone walls and earth banks. A stone gatehouse stands within the enclosure; trees and grassy banks slope down to the moat while a narrow stream runs in front.

Its story

The story of Stogursey Castle.

Stogursey Castle was built just south of the village of Stogursey in Somerset by the de Courcy family, probably in the late 11th or early 12th century, as a motte-and-bailey castle whose earthworks and stone walls largely survive.

King John controlled the castle during the First Barons' War and ordered it destroyed in 1215, but it survived; his lieutenant Falkes de Bréauté took control, and after de Bréauté's death a second destruction order in 1228 was again apparently ignored. The Fitzpayne family extended the castle in stone in 1300. Most of the site is now in ruins, but the thatched gatehouse has been restored and is let for holidays by the Landmark Trust.

Step inside

9 places to explore in 1300.

The record describes 9 distinct spots at Stogursey Castle, including 1 interior: gatehouse passage (interior). 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 across the moat (exterior)Summit of the motte (exterior)Inner bailey (exterior)Outer bailey enclosure (exterior)Gatehouse exterior (approach)Gatehouse passage (interior)Walk along the curtain wall (exterior)Moat bank and Stogursey Brook (exterior)View from the village (exterior)

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Recreate Stogursey Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1300, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Stogursey Castle.

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

  • de Courcy

    Built by the de Courcy family in the late 11th or early 12th century.

  • Fitzpayne

    Held by the Fitzpayne family, who extended the castle in stone in 1300.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Stogursey Castle.

Sweet Track, EnglandAncient siteSweet Track22 km awayGlastonbury Abbey, EnglandMonasteryGlastonbury Abbey30 km awayAvalon, EnglandLandmarkAvalon30 km away

Questions about Stogursey Castle

What is the history of Stogursey Castle?

Stogursey Castle was built by the de Courcy family in the late 11th or early 12th century as a motte-and-bailey castle. King John ordered its destruction in 1215 during the First Barons’ War, but it survived, and a second order in 1228 was apparently ignored. The Fitzpayne family extended it in stone in 1300; most of the site is now ruined, while the gatehouse has been restored.

What is inside Stogursey Castle?

Inside Stogursey Castle, the documented interior is the gatehouse passage. The gatehouse has been restored and is used as a holiday rental, while the surviving motte, baileys, curtain walls and moat are described as exterior features. No other rooms or interior spaces are documented.

Where is Stogursey Castle?

Stogursey Castle is in Somerset, beside the village of Stogursey. It stands just south of the village, with the Stogursey Brook feeding the water-filled moat. The castle is located in the administrative territorial entity of Stogursey.

When was Stogursey Castle built?

Stogursey Castle was first raised in the late 11th or early 12th century. The first-raised year is not recorded, and the castle was extended in stone in 1300 by the Fitzpayne family. It therefore belongs to the late 11th or early 12th century in origin, with a major stone extension in the 14th century.

Was Stogursey Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Stogursey Castle faced destruction orders in 1215 and 1228 rather than a recorded conventional siege. King John ordered its destruction during the First Barons’ War, but it survived; Falkes de Bréauté then took control, and the second order after his death was apparently ignored. A claim that Yorkists destroyed it in the 1450s is disputed, as there is no supporting documentary or archaeological evidence.

Which family or clan held Stogursey Castle?

Stogursey Castle was held by the de Courcy family, who built it in the late 11th or early 12th century. The Fitzpayne family later held the castle and extended it in stone in 1300. King John also controlled it during the First Barons’ War, before Falkes de Bréauté took control.

What did Stogursey Castle look like in its prime?

At its prime, Stogursey Castle had a broad, low motte about 60 metres across, rising from a water-filled moat. Substantial pale-brown to grey rubble-stone curtain walls and a large rectangular stone mass stood on the motte, with two bailey enclosures beside it. A stone gatehouse and lower walls completed the motte-and-bailey layout.

Is Stogursey Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Stogursey Castle is a partial ruin, but substantial earthworks and stone walls survive. The motte, moat, two baileys, curtain walls and a large rectangular stone mass remain, while the gatehouse has been restored. A house built within the grounds in the 17th century was restored in the 1870s, but later became ruined; the gatehouse was restored between 1981 and 1982.

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