Odiham Castle

- 1204

King John visited Odiham, Hampshire, and was captivated by the area near River Whitewater, north of the town. He then chose the site as it was between Windsor and Winchester.

- 1207 to 1214

Construction of Odiham Castle begins at the site chosen by King John. The site was on a 20-acre piece of land that the King had obtained from Robert the Parker, a local lord. King John intended to use Odiham Castle primarily as a hunting lodge.

The Castle was one of the three royal fortresses built by the King during his reign. It was a grand castle of its time, as it cost over £1000 and took seven years to its completion.

Odiham Castle’s construction process entailed raising earthwork banks with palisades and a “Domus Regus” (a king’s house). There were also square moats filled with river water that served as defences.

The Castle’s design comprised a three-storey keep, two moated baileys encircled by inner and outer moats. The plan for the stone keep was an octagonal shape, which was unique and rare for castles during the period. Its design gradually changed from square to round.

Also, there were thick stone buttresses at each corner of the octagonal keep to support the walls and roof.

- 1216

Under the leadership of Prince Dauphin Louis, the French raided and besieged Odiham Castle during the First Barons War. The French Prince supported rebellious barons who aimed at overthrowing King John. A royal garrison of 13 men who were holding the Castle surrendered after two weeks.

The raid occurred just a year after King John went to Runnymede to meet with the barons and sealed the Magna Carta.

The conflict between the French and King John ended when he died at Newark Castle. His nine-year-old son, Henry III, ascended the throne, and the rebellious barons withdrew their support for Prince Louis. Hence, the First Barons War came to an end.

Since Odiham Castle had faced damage during the war, it was repaired and upgraded during Henry III’s reign. The octagonal-shaped keep was established during this period. The repairs also included mending the tower roof (for 77 shillings/ £0.5), which had the support of a stone buttress and middle column.

- 1236

King Henry III granted Odiham Castle to his sister, Eleanor of Pembrokeshire. In 1238, Eleanor married Simon of Montfort, a French nobleman who later became the Earl of Leicester. Odiham would later be one of the most powerful administrative centres in England, under Montfort’s command.

Eleanor and Simon Montfort transformed Odiham Castle from a military fortress into a residential building. However, Montfort rebelled against Henry III; thus, he started the Second Barons War.

At first, he won the war at the Battle of Lewes (1264), where he captured King Henry III and his son Edward I.

- 1265

Simon Montfort lost the war and was killed during the Battle of Evesham. After Montfort’s death, Eleanor was exiled, and the crown confiscated Odiham Castle.

1300s

Edward I reinstated Odiham Castle to a residential building in 1302. The Castle was part of the royal property until his son, Edward II, gave it to one of his favourites, Robert le Ewer.

Odiham Castle was the venue of a Parliamentary sitting in 1303.

After falling out with the crown, Robert le Ewer lost ownership of Odiham Castle. However, he later attempted to regain it by force, resulting in some structural damages in 1322. Therefore, Edward II had the Castle repaired again.

Odiham Castle experienced warfare when the powerful Despenser family rebelled against Roger Mortimer, the third baron of Wigmore (first Earl of March), and Queen Isabella of France (Henry II’s wife).

After Edward III inherited the Castle, he handed it over to his wife, Philippa of Hainault. During this period, King David of Scotland was imprisoned at Odiham Castle after being captured in the Battle of Neville’s Cross in 1346. The Castle served as King David’s prison for 11 years.

- 1400s

Odiham Castle started to deteriorate from the mid-fifteenth century to the late 17th century. Some people ripped off the stone dressing to build other structures, leaving the flint core that’s presently visible. It was approaching a ruinous state by 1605.

- 1792

Odiham Castle faced further damage during the construction of the Basingstoke Canal. The Castle’s baileys at the southern corner were the most affected then.

- 1953

The first archaeological excavation took place at Odiham Castle grounds, and the findings were reported in a local newspaper.

1981 to 1985

Hampshire County Council Museum Services conducted the second archaeological excavation.

- 2007

Hampshire County Council restored Odiham Castle under the guidance of English Heritage and preserved its remnants.