Okehampton Castle

-1068

Baldwin FitzGilbert, a Norman lord, built Okehampton Castle following a protest against the Norman rule in Devon. Moreover, it was after Wiliam the Conqueror defeated the Anglo-Saxon forces at the battle of Hastings in 1066.

Baldwin FitzGilbert had participated in putting down the rebellion in Devon. By the end of this time (1066), the Domesday Book mentioned him as the owner of the Honour of Okehampton.

William the Conqueror rewarded Baldwin by appointing him as the Sheriff of Devon. William I also allowed him to set up a fort at Okehampton to dominate the neighbouring Saxon settlement. Moreover, Baldwin became the Constable of Exeter Castle.

Okehampton Castle was strategically positioned along various routes, including the castle-guard system.

-1086

Baldwin’s Castle controlled the existing town of Ocmundtune, with West Okement River also under his protection. Baldwin also established a town which was near the Castle. It was about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi/0.99 km) away. The town dominated the older one, and it was given the name Okehampton.

-1139

Adeliza, Baldwin’s daughter, inherited the Castle when her father died. However, the family had no interest in the property after Baldwin’s death. Therefore, the Castle became unproductive as it did not take a significant role in the civil war (the Anarchy) between 1139 and 1153.

-1173

Renaud de Courtenay became the new owner of Okehampton Castle. The Castle’s ownership transfer was via marriage, as his son Courtenay married William de Redvers’s daughter.

-1193 & 1994

The Castle was under the protection of Richard I. His requisition impacted the Castle positively by assisting in the royal defence of Devon. During this period, the de Courtney family added new structures to the Castle’s bailey.

-1274

Hugh de Courtenay, John de Courtney’s son, inherited Okehampton castle upon his father’s death. It was during his occupancy that an old motte was discovered at the Castle. However, the motte wasn’t valuable then.

-1297 to 1455

Hugh’s son acquired the Redvers’ family land in 1297 and later became the first Earl of Devon. However, Hugh spent most of his time at Tiverton Castle, his main seat and residence.

Hugh and his father worked hard to redevelop Okehampton Castle. They upgraded the Castle’s facilities and accommodation. The expansion transformed Okehampton Castle into a hunting lodge and retreat.

As the development of the Castle continued, the family established a new deer park around it. The park replaced the older hunting fields and was a significant status symbol of the time. Hence, most of the nobles who’d recently risen to power and opulence engaged in similar projects.

The park extended from the southern part of the Castle, covering around 690 hectares (1,705 acres). Due to this spread, the older settlements around the Castle had to be cleared. These settlements were under unsustainable conditions due to the onset of the cooler climate. Therefore, the condition didn’t favour their adaptation to a warmer climate.

When the Castle’s deer park was completely established, fallow deer eventually became common. However, hunting wild boars, foxes, and hares was also common. During this period, Okehampton Castle occupants consumed a large amount of game meat and fish.

Okehampton Castle was under the ownership of the Courtney family for 240 years. The Castle’s household expanded exceedingly during the 1380s. For instance, when Edward was in charge of Okehampton Castle, his household number rose to 135. Due to this rapid increase, they had to extend the Castle facilities further to accommodate all the occupants.

-1461

The de Courtney family participated in the Wars of the Roses. The conflict involved the rival groups of the Lancastrians and the Yorkists. The Yorkists captured and killed Thomas de Courtney’s son.  

Henry IV then confiscated Okehampton Castle. However, the Lancastrian leader, Henry VI, later returned the Castle to the family.

-1471

 The crown confiscated Okehampton Castle after John de Courtney, who supported the Lancastrarians, died at the Battle of Tewkesbury.

-1539

Henry VIII ordered the execution of Henry de Courtney. The king then took all his property, breaking the link between the Courtenay family and Okehampton Castle. After de Courtney’s death, the Castle had no future occupants, and it started decaying. Moreover, locals used some of its masonries to build other structures.

-1623

Two Members of Parliament in Okehampton were responsible for determining the ownership of Okehampton Castle. In the late-17th century, a bakehouse was established in the Castle using some materials from the lodging remnants. In the 18th century, the deer park was removed, and the recovered land was converted to farmland.

Okehampton Castle became a favourite topic for artists, especially painters. The picturesque and sublime landscape styles intrigued painters. For instance, Richard Wilson created a fascinating painting featuring a silhouette of the keep against the sky.

Other painters included Thomas Girtin and M. W. Turner.

-1800s

Sir Vyell Vyvan undertook minor rebuilding and repairing of Okehampton Castle.

-20th to 21st centuries

Sydney Simmons, a local, purchased Okehampton Castle. He cleared away the debris around the Castle and repaired some stonework. In 1917, Sydney Simmons handed over Okehampton Castle to the Okehampton Castle Trust.

In 1967, the Ministry of Public Works took over custody of Okehampton Castle. After taking over the Castle, they extensively restored most of its structures.

In the 1970s, Robert Higham conducted archaeological excavations on the Castle grounds.

When the English Heritage took over the Castle, Okehampton Castle became a tourist attraction at the beginning of the 21st century. Currently, Okehampton Castle is a Grade I building under the protection of the law.