Clare Castle

-c.1066-1090

Following the Norman conquest of England, William the Conqueror awarded a barony in Suffolk (and other lands) to Richard Fitz Gilbert, later known as Richard de Clare. To help guard his new land, Richard built Clare Castle. It's unclear exactly when construction occurred, but records suggest it began circa 1070 and was finished by 1090.

The original Clare Castle was a wooden castle overlooking two baileys on a high motte. It was the caput of the feudal barony.

-1100s

A stone keep was built during the 12th century on the motte; only a small part remains. It was strengthened over the next century with three towers, a gateway, and stone walls along the top of the earth banks. A small portion of the wall that runs down from the keep can be seen.

-1249

The 6th Earl of Gloucester, Richard de Clare, founded Clare Priory. Set close to the castle, it grew to have 29 friars. 

A new shell keep is believed to have been built around this time as well. It had 1.8-meter (6-ft) thick walls supported by fourteen triangular buttresses. Also, new stone walls (estimated 6 to 9 meters or 19.69-29.53 feet tall) were erected to strengthen the inner bailey. 

During this period, a castle-guard system reinforced protection for the castle.

-1314

The de Clares had properties throughout England, but they kept most of their possessions in surrounding estates nearby Clare Castle. After his death at the Battle of Bannockburn, Gilbert de Clare, 8th Earl of Gloucester, passed the estate to his sisters. Elizabeth de Clare, newly widowed, acquired the castle and its joining estates, making her one of England's wealthiest women.

-1322-1360

Clare Castle is well developed and serves as Elizabeth's primary residence, supporting a wealthy, luxurious lifestyle. Four stone towers were built to protect the inner bailey entrance and the keep, called Maiden's Tower, Audiostower, Oxford Tower, and Constabletower.

Elizabeth built a chamber at the castle for her own use circa 1346-7. During this period, a large water-garden existed, forming part of the east moat; some believe it had a fountain and was perhaps shaped similar to St Benet's Abbey's garden nearby in Norfolk. Orchards and vineyards encircled the property as well.

-1405

The castle was passed by marriage twice after Elizabeth de Clares's death; first to Lionel of Antwerp, son of Edward III, and then to the Mortimers of Wigmore. When inherited by Sir Edmund Mortimer in 1405, the castle was noted to be equipped and in good order.

-1425

Upon Edmund's death, the castle was passed to Richard of York, who then passed the castle to the Crown via his son, Edward IV.

-1461

Edward IV gave a large estate, which included the castle, to his mother, Dowager Duchess of York, Cecily Neville. She used the castle, though not as her main residence; Margaret Neville Scrope, Cecily's half-sister, lived in the castle until 1463 when she died. She was buried at Clare Priory. 

The castle became run-down in the hands of the Crown, and by the end of the century, the castle had been abandoned. The masonry was likely stripped for local building materials. 

-1500s

The castle was in ruins, with a single remaining tower serving as a prison. Mary I had the castle reverted to her, and it was later obtained by Sir Gervase Elwes. His family retained ownership into the 19th century.

-1700s

Records suggest that sometime after 1720, the inner bailey walls still standing on the south and east sides were ruined. 

-1865

The Great Eastern Railway comes to Suffolk and is constructed through Clare Castle. It cut across the inner bailey, mostly destroying it. In 1967, the railway line and station closed.

-1972

Clare Castle Country Park opens in June.

-2014

With assistance from English Heritage, the curtain wall and the keep are extensively consolidated.

• 11th-14th centuries - The de Clare family
• Start of 15th century - Sir Edmund Mortimer
• Early 15th century - Crown gains control via Edward IV
• Mid 15th century - Margaret Neville Scrope (monarch controlled)
• 16th-19th century - Castle is abandoned (still held by the monarchy)