Castlefacts³

Dunwich Castle

Has been described as a Possible Uncertain

There are no visible remains

Name	Dunwich Castle
Alternative Names	Dunewico
Historic Country	Suffolk
Modern Authority	Suffolk
1974 Authority	Suffolk
Civil Parish	Dunwich

A small castle may have existed at Dunwich. In the Calender of the Patent Rolls, under 1217 there is a reference to Eustace de Vescy's custody of the castle and town of Dunwich (Scarfe 1971). (PastScape)

De custodia terre E. de. Vescy. Rex militibus, libere tenentibus et aliis omnibus de terra que fuit Eustachii de Vescy, salutem. Sciatis quod commisimus dilectis et fidelibus nostris, Willelmo de Duston et Radulfo de Norwico, clerico nostro, totam terram cum pertineneiis, que fuit predicti Eustachii, custodiendam quamdiu nobis placuerit, exceptis castro et villa de Dunewico, que commisimus venerabili patri nostro, R. Dunelmensi episcopo. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod eisdem Willelmo et Radulfo, tamquam custodibus et baillivis vestris, in omnibus sitis intendentes et respondentes. Et in hujus rei testimonium etc. ut supra. Teste, apud Oxoniam, xiiij die Novembris, anno regni nostri secundo. (CPR)

Gatehouse Comments

The lack of other mentions might suggest this was a use of 'castro' in the sense of administrative centre rather than fortress, although Dunwich was a sizeable town and a significant building in a fortified style is not unlikely. Aga's plan of 1585 shows a series of mounds in the north-west corner of the town.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)

921243

County Historic Environment Record

www.suffolk.gov.uk/libraries-and-culture/culture-and-heritage/archaeology/historic-environment-record/

OS Map Grid Reference	TM490700
Latitude	52.2700004577637
Longitude	1.64999997615814
Eastings	649000
Northings	270000