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Monument details

HER Number:TQ 56 NW 11
Type of record:Monument
Name:Eynsford Castle

Summary

A pre-Conquest stone structure, probably part of an 11th century residence has been revealed by excavation within the enclosure. At the time of Domesday the castle was held of the archbishop of Canterbury by Ralph son of Unspac. The lower stage of the existing stone curtain wall was built c.1100 by Ralph's son William de Eynsford I. An early 12th century hall and solar was built on the north-east half and the curtain wall was heightened. The hall was re-constructed after a fire in the mid-13th century but the castle was not inhabited for long. The castle was dismantled in 1312.

Images

Eynsford Castle 1   © Explore KentEynsford Castle 2   © Explore KentEynsford Castle 3   © Explore KentEynsford Castle 4   © Explore Kent
Grid Reference:TQ 5415 6581
Map Sheet:TQ56NW
Parish:EYNSFORD, SEVENOAKS, KENT

Monument Types

  • CASTLE (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon to Medieval - 1000 AD? to 1312 AD)
Protected Status:Scheduled Monument 1007462: EYNSFORD CASTLE

Full description

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[TQ 5417 6582] Eynsford Castle [NR] (remains of) [NAT] (1) Eynsford Castle is an exception to the general pattern of small Norman castles, which usually consist of a motte and bailey. Eynsford had a bailey on the E side which probably held the original domestic buildings, but attached to the bailey was a low artificial platform, encircled by a massive stone wall and by a moat. Though not mentioned in Domesday it is likely that the castle already existed in primitive form prior to the Norman Conquest. This would have been a timber watchtower on a stone base set in a low mound which was revealed by excavation and shown to antedate the lower stage of the curtain wall, not much later than 1100. Detailed architectural and historical description. (2) Eynsford Castle is as described: the published 25 inch survey of the moat is correct but the survey of the castle buildings requires some amendment. (3) TQ 542 658 Eynsford Castle. Platform by the riverside, walled and revetted in an unflanked curved curtain of masonry. Ruin of a rectangular building inside, which was a C12th hall. Defences are early C12th. Violently destroyed 1312. (4) Excavation report from excavations 1953-1961. (5) Excavation report on the excavations of the moat and bridge at Eynsford Cstle. (6) Brief description of Eynsford Castle. (7) Additional bibliography. (8-16) Additional bibliography (not consulted). (17-19)

"A pre-Conquest stone structure, probably part of an 11th century residence has been revealed by excavation within the enclosure. At the time of Domesday the castle was held of the archbishop of Canterbury by Ralph son of Unspac. The lower stage of the existing stone curtain wall was built c.1100 by Ralph's son William de Eynsford I. An early 12th century hall and solar was built on the north-east half and the curtain wall was heightened. The hall was re-constructed after a fire in the mid-13th century but the castle was not inhabited for long. The castle was dismantled in 1312." (21)


From the National Heritage List for England:
The monument includes an enclosure castle situated on the east bank of the River Darent, the valley of which cuts through an area of gently undulating chalk downland. The castle has an inner ward constructed on a low oval platform, enclosed by a curtain wall with a moat to the north, east and south. The central platform on which the castle buildings were constructed is c.2m above the surrounding ground level and measures 61m north-south and 40m east-west. The curtain wall survives as upstanding masonry c.8.8m high, constructed of coursed flintwork c.1.8m thick at the base. The north west segment has collapsed but remains where it fell. Within the ward are the ruined remains and buried foundations of a 12thcentury hall block, the undercrofts of which still survive. This was a freestanding
building, 22m east-west by 13m north-south, in the northern half of
the ward and was mainly constructed from reused Roman tile probably brought from Lullingstone or Farningham. A stair and porch were built on the south side of the building and a later kitchen was constructed between the hall and the curtain wall to the north. The 12th-century kitchen was located in the west corner of the ward and a gate-tower was situated on the south east side at the main entrance to the castle. To the north, east and south of the curtain wall lies the moat which, although having become partially infilled over the years, is visible as an earthwork feature up to 16m wide and 1.5m deep. To the west the castle was protected by the river. Access to the castle was gained by way of a bridge leading across the moat in the south east to the gate-tower. The curtain wall is believed to have been constructed c.1090 by William de Eynsford, possibly on the site of an earlier earthwork castle with a timber watch-tower. Although such a site is not mentioned in the Domesday Book, traces of a central wooden building, contemporary with the early phase of the curtain wall, have been discovered during excavations. The hall, gate-tower
and heightened curtain wall are ascribed to William II in c.1130, with the reconstructed hall and new kitchens dating to c.1230. Documentary evidence records a complaint about the doors and windows of the castle having been broken down, damage committed and stock let loose. This resulted in the dismantling of the structures inside the curtain wall in or just before 1312. Partial excavation took place in 1835 and further excavations were carried out between 1953 and 1971 during the conservation of the monument. These revealed the internal structure and accommodation areas within the curtain wall as well
as confirming the 14th-century destruction of the castle. Excluded from the scheduling are the modern buildings, works sheds, rubbish
bins, wooden benches, paving, wooden bridge and fencing, although the ground beneath all these features is included.

Photographs (22-79)


Volume 1 pp 156-157, 1957, Medieval archaeology : journal of the Society for Medieval Archaeology (OS Card Reference). SKE53726.

Volume 6-7 pp 322, 1962, Medieval archaeology : journal of the Society for Medieval Archaeology (OS Card Reference). SKE53727.

Volume 9 pp 190, 1965, Medieval archaeology : journal of the Society for Medieval Archaeology (OS Card Reference). SKE53728.

<1> OS 6" 1961 (OS Card Reference). SKE48369.

<2> Eynsford Castle 1963 (S E Rigold) (OS Card Reference). SKE41711.

<3> F1 CFW 19-SEP-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE42653.

<4> Castellarium Anlicanum 1983 I 231 (D J Cathcart King) (OS Card Reference). SKE38615.

<5> Arch Cant 86 1971 109-171 (S E Rigold) (OS Card Reference). SKE35836.

<6> Arch Cant 88 1973 87-115 (S E Rigold and A J Fleming) (OS Card Reference). SKE35963.

<7> The Buildings of England W Kent and the Weald 1980 280 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE50218.

<8> Md Arch 1 1957 156-7 (D M Wilson and J G Hurst) (OS Card Reference). SKE46568.

<9> Md Arch 6-7 1962-3 322 (D M Wilson and J G Hurst) (OS Card Reference). SKE46644.

<10> Md Arch 9 1965 190 (D M Wilson and J G Hurst) (OS Card Reference). SKE46646.

<11> Md Arch 19 1967 285 (D M Wilson and J G Hurst) (OS Card Reference). SKE46588.

<12> Timber bridges (S E Rigold) (OS Card Reference). SKE50567.

<13> Norman Dom Architect 1974 36 (M Wood) (OS Card Reference). SKE47676.

<14> Md Brit from the Air 1984 16 (C Platt) (OS Card Reference). SKE46659.

<15> Archaeologia 27 1838 391-397 plans (E Gresy) (OS Card Reference). SKE37307.

<16> The Castles of Gt Britain 1953 155-6 (S Toy) (OS Card Reference). SKE50262.

<17> Hist of Kent 1 1778 306-7 (E Hasted) (OS Card Reference). SKE43930.

<18> The Castles of England 1897 21 (J Mackenzie) (OS Card Reference). SKE50256.

<19> Some Kentish Castles 1907 36-40 (Harold Sands in P H Ditchfield and G Clinch) (OS Card Reference). SKE49507.

<20> Field report for monument TQ 56 NW 11 - September, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE2905.

<21> Victor Smith and Andrew Saunders, 2001, Kent's Defence Heritage (Unpublished document). SKE6956.

<22> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2156.

<23> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2159.

<24> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2150.

<25> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2162.

<26> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2161.

<27> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2149.

<28> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2168.

<29> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2160.

<30> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2157.

<31> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2169.

<32> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2163.

<33> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2160.

<34> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2161.

<35> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2154.

<36> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2145.

<37> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2152.

<38> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2151.

<39> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2156.

<40> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2155.

<41> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2164.

<42> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2143.

<43> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2170.

<44> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2144.

<45> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2158.

<46> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2154.

<47> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2148.

<48> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2167.

<49> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2165.

<50> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2142.

<51> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2144.

<52> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2152.

<53> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2146.

<54> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2153.

<55> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2145.

<56> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2147.

<57> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2166.

<58> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2159.

<59> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2151.

<60> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2162.

<61> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2165.

<62> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2157.

<63> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2164.

<64> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2153.

<65> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2166.

<66> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2167.

<67> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2168.

<68> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2169.

<69> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2170.

<70> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2158.

<71> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2163.

<72> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2150.

<73> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2142.

<74> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2146.

<75> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2147.

<76> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2148.

<77> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2149.

<78> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2155.

<79> UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE (Photograph). SKE2143.

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
---OS Card Reference: Volume 1 pp 156-157. 1957. Medieval archaeology : journal of the Society for Medieval Archaeology.
---OS Card Reference: Volume 6-7 pp 322. 1962. Medieval archaeology : journal of the Society for Medieval Archaeology.
---OS Card Reference: Volume 9 pp 190. 1965. Medieval archaeology : journal of the Society for Medieval Archaeology.
<1>XYOS Card Reference: OS 6" 1961. [Mapped feature: #772 ruined building, ]
<2>OS Card Reference: Eynsford Castle 1963 (S E Rigold).
<3>OS Card Reference: F1 CFW 19-SEP-64.
<4>OS Card Reference: Castellarium Anlicanum 1983 I 231 (D J Cathcart King).
<5>OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 86 1971 109-171 (S E Rigold).
<6>OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 88 1973 87-115 (S E Rigold and A J Fleming).
<7>OS Card Reference: The Buildings of England W Kent and the Weald 1980 280 (J Newman).
<8>OS Card Reference: Md Arch 1 1957 156-7 (D M Wilson and J G Hurst).
<9>OS Card Reference: Md Arch 6-7 1962-3 322 (D M Wilson and J G Hurst).
<10>OS Card Reference: Md Arch 9 1965 190 (D M Wilson and J G Hurst).
<11>OS Card Reference: Md Arch 19 1967 285 (D M Wilson and J G Hurst).
<12>OS Card Reference: Timber bridges (S E Rigold).
<13>OS Card Reference: Norman Dom Architect 1974 36 (M Wood).
<14>OS Card Reference: Md Brit from the Air 1984 16 (C Platt).
<15>OS Card Reference: Archaeologia 27 1838 391-397 plans (E Gresy).
<16>OS Card Reference: The Castles of Gt Britain 1953 155-6 (S Toy).
<17>OS Card Reference: Hist of Kent 1 1778 306-7 (E Hasted).
<18>OS Card Reference: The Castles of England 1897 21 (J Mackenzie).
<19>OS Card Reference: Some Kentish Castles 1907 36-40 (Harold Sands in P H Ditchfield and G Clinch).
<20>Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 56 NW 11 - September, 1964.
<21>Unpublished document: Victor Smith and Andrew Saunders. 2001. Kent's Defence Heritage.
<22>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48123. Black and White. Print.
<23>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48126. Black and White. Print.
<24>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48117. Black and White. Print.
<25>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48129. Black and White. Print.
<26>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48128. Black and White. Print.
<27>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48116. Black and White. Print.
<28>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48136. Black and White. Print.
<29>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48127. Black and White. Print.
<30>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48124. Black and White. Print.
<31>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48137. Black and White. Print.
<32>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48130. Black and White. Print.
<33>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48127. Black and White. Print.
<34>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48128. Black and White. Print.
<35>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48121. Black and White. Print.
<36>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48112. Black and White. Print.
<37>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48119. Black and White. Print.
<38>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48118. Black and White. Print.
<39>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48123. Black and White. Print.
<40>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48122. Black and White. Print.
<41>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48131. Black and White. Print.
<42>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48110. Black and White. Print.
<43>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48138. Black and White. Print.
<44>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48111. Black and White. Print.
<45>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48125. Black and White. Print.
<46>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48121. Black and White. Print.
<47>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48115. Black and White. Print.
<48>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48135. Black and White. Print.
<49>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48133. Black and White. Print.
<50>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48109. Black and White. Print.
<51>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48111. Black and White. Print.
<52>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48119. Black and White. Print.
<53>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48113. Black and White. Print.
<54>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48120. Black and White. Print.
<55>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48112. Black and White. Print.
<56>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48114. Black and White. Print.
<57>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48134. Black and White. Print.
<58>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48126. Black and White. Print.
<59>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48118. Black and White. Print.
<60>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48129. Black and White. Print.
<61>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48133. Black and White. Print.
<62>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48124. Black and White. Print.
<63>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48131. Black and White. Print.
<64>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48120. Black and White. Print.
<65>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48134. Black and White. Print.
<66>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48135. Black and White. Print.
<67>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48136. Black and White. Print.
<68>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48137. Black and White. Print.
<69>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48138. Black and White. Print.
<70>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48125. Black and White. Print.
<71>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48130. Black and White. Print.
<72>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48117. Black and White. Print.
<73>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48109. Black and White. Print.
<74>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48113. Black and White. Print.
<75>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48114. Black and White. Print.
<76>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48115. Black and White. Print.
<77>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48116. Black and White. Print.
<78>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48122. Black and White. Print.
<79>Photograph: UNSPECIFIED VIEW OF SITE Types: CASTLE. P48110. Black and White. Print.

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