Castlefacts³

Trowbridge Town Defences

Has been described as a Questionable Urban Defence

There are uncertain remains

Name	Trowbridge Town Defences
Alternative Names	Straburg
Historic Country	Wiltshire
Modern Authority	Wiltshire
1974 Authority	Wiltshire
Civil Parish	Trowbridge

Listed by Creighton (2006) as a fortified medieval town with defences of earthworks.

Known as Straburg in AD1086.

At least one mill existed in the town in 1086, two recorded in 1331. A market was granted in 1200, and a market cross recorded 1466-7, but had been removed by 1784. Town grew up around Medieval castle defences. (Wiltshire and Swindon Historic Environment Record)

Gatehouse Comments

Town defences do not seem to be recorded separately from the Castle in the archaeological databases. Neither the VCH or the Extensive Urban Survey mention town defences, although both note the large outer bailey of the castle. The castle occupies the site of a small Saxon town which may have been defended and the castle may have used part of these defences.The parish church lies outside this large bailey but the Saxon church and graveyard were within the bounds of the later castle.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

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

660756

County Historic Environment Record

www.wiltshire.gov.uk/artsheritageandlibraries/museumhistoryheritage/wiltshireandswindonhistoricenvironmentrecord/wshermap.htm?a=d&id=3305

OS Map Grid Reference	ST855578
Latitude	51.3214492797852
Longitude	-2.20753002166748
Eastings	385570
Northings	157860