The castle was founded in the early years after the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror's half-brother, Count Robert of Mortain. Like many early Norman castles, the initial early defences were largely constructed of timber and earth, with stone fortifications replacing them in subsequent centuries. A similar view of the eleventh century timber defences and keep can be seen in illustration IC057/003.
This is part of the Volume: IC057 Launceston Castle, Cornwall; within the Series: EHC01/146 English Heritage Reconstruction And Artwork Collection; within the Collection: EHC01 English Heritage(Eh):Archive
© Historic England Archive
Illustrator: Dunn, Peter
Medieval Castle, Medieval Motte, Medieval Shell Keep