Britwell Castle

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are no visible remains

NameBritwell Castle
Alternative NamesBretewelle
Historic CountryOxfordshire
Modern AuthorityOxfordshire
1974 AuthorityOxfordshire
Civil ParishBritwell Salome

The alleged site of a castle and moat - probably a natural feature. (PastScape)

? Medieval Moat and Castle. A straggling piece of water on the north of the site of the church and castle, now both destroyed, may have enclosed them in its complete form. In 1153 the defenders of Britwell Castle opposed Henry Plantagenet - when Henry became king, he presumably destroyed the castle, but castle hill remains. (Oxfordshire HER)

Britwell's strategic position on the Watlington road led to its playing a prominent part in the strife of Stephen's reign and in the Civil Wars of the 17th century. When Henry Plantagenet (afterwards King Henry II) and his supporters were seeking to relieve Wallingford in 1153, the defenders of the castle at Britwell long opposed them. (Howlett) This castle was presumably destroyed when Henry became king, but Castle Hill remains a landmark beside the main road. (VCH Vol. 8)

Nam anno paeterito familia ducis Herice, quae Walingefort incolebat, non solum castrum Bretewelle, quod diu eos impugnaverat, verum etiam castellum, quod rex etiam Stephanus contra jus et fas erexerat apud abbatiam Radingis, pessumdederat. (Howlett)

Gatehouse Comments

The given site is certainly a likely manorial centre and the existence of a small motte here cannot be excluded and the presence of a, now lost, 'castle hill', attested to in the VCH, is good supportive evidence. It is not clear as to why the evidence in the VCH, which includes a solid contemporary reference, appears to be given such low credence by the usual authorities. However, the location of 'Bretewelle' is contested and may be Brightwell Cum Sotwell. See also Wallingford siege castles.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSU674935
Latitude51.6363716125488
Longitude-1.02762997150421
Eastings467400
Northings193500
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Lobel, M. (ed), 1964, VCH Oxfordshire Vol. 8 p. 43-55 (tenurial history) online transcription
  • Potts, W., 1907, in Page, Wm (ed), 'Ancient Earthworks' VCH Oxfordshire Vol. 2 p. 327 online transcription

Primary Sources

  • Howlett, R. (ed.), 1890, Chronicles of the reigns of Stephen, Henry II and Richard I Vol. 4 Torigni, Robert of. Chronicle (Rolls Series 82) p. 174 online copy