Christchurch Castle and The Constables Keep
Nearby to Hengistbury Head, in the town of Christchurch, quite near the Priory and close to the river Avon and Christchurch Quay is a Norman Motte and Keep.
Known as Christchurch Castle and the Constables House they form a significant historic link between the area and both the Norman occupation and English Civil War
Christchurch Castle, built high on its Motte (or man made hillock) replaced a traditional early Norman motte and Bailey (wooden castle) around 1190.
The original wooden structure shared the same dark purpose as the later stone castle, to keep the natives under the thumb of the
Norman conquerors. The local Norman gentry were originally led by Richard De Redvers. He was probably was responsible for building the original Wooden motte
and bailey castle before the beginning of the 12th century. The Norman feudal system enforced the New Forest Laws and ensured the defence of the
feudal Lord and his family against all comers. The Castle was supplimented by the less
military and more benign Constables House. Again a stone building, this actually pre-dated the stone castle by about 20 years but it was constructed
within the outer perimeter defences of the Castle. It boasts the oldest standing Norman chimney that is still part of a recognisable building in England.
The castle fell into disuse in the 14th century but regained a military use during the English Civil War of the mid 17th century
The castle was taken and held by the Parlimentarian forces of Oliver Cromwell and remained garrisoned thoughout the civil war period.
When hostilities ended, Cromwell had the place torn down so it could never again be used for military purposes. That is how it remains to this day.
Today this is a quiet place in the middle of a bustling town with beautiful river walks nearby, leading to Christchurch Priory and Quay.
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Christchurch Castle high up on its Motte.. |
The nine foot (3 meter) thick walls relied heavily on local stone. Here we can see use
distinctive red coloured ironstone doggers from Hengistbury Head. Other stone was probably shipped in from Portland.
The walls were probably built by the same craftsmen who fashioned the nearby Priory Church. The labour was probably forced from the local Saxon serfdom who
had no discernable rights and were regarded as little more than cattle by their Norman rulers.
The amount of effort and money that went into the construction of this weapon of war must have kept the local population heavily taxed for many years..
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 Main Entrance
The arch of the castle entrance still stands, even after 800 years and deliberate attempts to destroy it
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 The Constables Keep
The view of the Keep from the road. The Keep is tucked away from the main road through Christchurch and
nestles just below the Bridge over the river Avon. It lies along the mill stream and is usually a quiet place with only
a few visitors.
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 Inside the Keep
The Keep is open all year round and there is no admission charge or any officials for that matter! The Keep has the oldest Norman chimney
that is still part of a building in England |
 The Chimney
Looking up the great chimney. This was at one time a place for the wealthy, who could afford such a
large chimney and the associated fire. More information on Christchurch Castle and Keep can be found
at the following website www.communigate.co.uk page
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