RESTORMEL CASTLE

Cornwall

Restormel is the furthest west of all the mainland Norman Castles (there is one on St. Mary's in the Scilly Isles), and its plan is unique.  It is not quite clear when this perfectly circular Castle came into being, it is not mentioned until 1264 when Simon de Montfort seized the Castle, but it certainly dates to earlier than that.

The outer circle of the 'keep' is mirrored inside by the arrangement of the domestic quarters, and a walk around the walls is fascinating.  The curtain wall is generally considered to have been built between 1192 and 1225, but it thought that the square gate tower pre-dates that.

After the de Montfort rebellion was quashed the Castle was given over to the earls of Cornwall. It's most important phase being when Earl Edmund chose the town of Lostwithiel - above which Restormel stands - as his administrative centre.

It was during this period that the interior rooms were constructed.  Thereafter little seems to have occurred here save a very brief scuffle in the Civil War.

Restormel is a fascinating building and is quite unique in its layout.  It is owned by English Heritage these days and is open to the public all year around.

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2001