Orford Castle

Orford castle was built between 1166 and 1172 by Henry II as part of his coastal defence.

Orford was at that time a busy port. It was the first castle in England to have a series of mural towers projecting from the curtain walls. This was an innovation of great military importance in the later part of the 12th century as it allowed the garrison command of the field of fire without exposure to the enemy. The keep was also unusual being polygonal with the addition of three rectangular towers and a forebuilding. It was a forerunner of the cylindrical keeps of the 13th century. The stonework remains virtually intact as the castle had a comparatively uneventful military history.

Following the death of King John it was taken by the French contender to the crown, Prince Louis. In the reign of Henry III the castle changed hands frequently during the baronial wars.

The castle was then maintained by the Crown but by 1336 its importance had declined to such an extent that it was given in perpetuity to Robert of Ufford. From that time the castle was never involved in further military action.