 Originally
built of wood the castle was converted to stone in the latter
part of the 12th century by Hamelin Plantagenet, half-brother
of Henry II.
He began building in 1174 and
completed the keep, surrounded by walls with towers 15 years
later. It was one of the first keeps in Britain
to be built in a round design. The base of the keep
is splayed out and has six wedge-shaped buttresses, one of
which contains a six-sided chapel. The immensely thick
walls of the 95 foot high tower contain staircases, fire places
latrines and hand basins. The keep is notable in having
very few windows or loops.
Partially enclosing the keep
is a semi-circular bailey. This surrounded by a 35 feet high
and 7 feet wide curtain wall supported with solid towers.
Despite its strength by Tudor
times the castle was already in ruins.
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