Description

PLYMOUTH

SX5455NW BARBICAN ROAD, Plympton St Maurice
740-1/49/457 (South side (off))
29/03/60 Remains of Castle

GV II*

Remains of castle keep on motte. Probably C12, but may be
early C13. Killas rubble walls about 3m thick and surviving in
places to about 4m high; putlog holes.
PLAN: circular on plan with evidence for doorway to its S side
with deep draw-bar slot on its right (Pevsner notes 2 slots
and suggests that they were for reinforcing timbers). It has
been suggested that there was also a central tower within the
keep as at Launceston Castle. Large bailey to west with very
high earthworks.
HISTORY: in 1136 the castle was besieged and razed by King
Stephen. The present building may date from the 1140s when
Baldwin de Redvers recovered his estates and was made Earl of
Devon by the Empress Matilda. However, as recent
investigations of the stone keeps of both Launceston and
Restormel Castles (Cornwall CC) have suggested C13 dates, then
perhaps this castle too may be later than has previously been
thought. A thorough examination of the evidence may give a
more precise dating. Scheduled Ancient Monument.
(The Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Devon: London: 1989-:
683).

Listing NGR: SX5448055755

External Links

• Historic England Listing

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Period property manual, victorian house manual 2 books collection set by ian rock
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)