description Okehampton Castle Overview
Okehampton Castle is a ruined medieval motte-and-bailey castle near Okehampton in Devon, England, overlooking the West Okement River near the northern edge of Dartmoor. Norman sheriff Baldwin of Meulles, also known as Baldwin FitzGilbert, established the original earthwork castle between 1068 and 1086. The site was later developed by the Courtenay family, who added stone buildings and used it as a residence and hunting retreat before its abandonment after the sixteenth-century confiscation of their estates.
help Okehampton Castle FAQ
Where is Okehampton Castle?
Okehampton Castle is near Okehampton in Devon, England. The ruins overlook the West Okement River near the northern edge of Dartmoor.
Who established the original Okehampton Castle earthwork?
The original earthwork castle was established by the Norman sheriff Baldwin of Meulles, also known as Baldwin FitzGilbert. The site later developed into the medieval castle ruins seen today.
What type of castle was Okehampton Castle?
Okehampton Castle began as a motte-and-bailey castle. That design used a raised mound and an enclosed bailey, a common Norman fortification pattern.
What landscape surrounds Okehampton Castle?
The castle stands beside the West Okement River and close to Dartmoor. Its setting combines medieval ruins with the rugged landscape of northern Devon.
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