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Clare Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey fortress constructed in the late eleventh century following the Norman Conquest of England. The castle occupies a prominent position overlooking the River Stour in Suffolk and was established as a stronghold of the de Clare family, one of the most powerful Norman baronial lineages in medieval England. The monument retains substantial earthwork remains, including a well-preserved motte surrounded by multiple baileys with substantial defensive banks and ditches, demonstrating the sophisticated military engineering characteristic of early Norman fortifications. Clare Castle served as a significant administrative and defensive centre throughout the medieval period and continued to hold strategic importance until its decline in the late medieval era.
Clare Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1006044. View the official record →
Clare Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey fortress constructed in the late eleventh century following the Norman Conquest of England. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1006044.
Clare Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1006044.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Clare Priory (uninhabited portions) (0.2 km), Earthwork on Lower Common (0.6 km), Long mortuary enclosure and barrows 460m north west of Mill Farm (1.4 km).
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Research the area around Clare Castle