Wiltshire and Swindon Sites and Monument Record Information

SMR Number

ST83SW454

Site Name

Mere Castle

Grid Ref

ST80943254

Parish

Mere

Photographs

Images for Mere (if available)

District

Salisbury

Site Type

Castle

Period

Late Medieval

Scheduled Monument

SM26870

X Y Grid Ref

380940, 132540

Altitude

152.4 metres

Geology

Middle Chalk

Description

Site of a Medieval castle excavated in 1887 and perhaps c 1886.

Details

Medieval castle (site of) built in 1253 by Richard, Duke of Cornwall. Excavation in 1887 by T H Baker and Rev E G Wyld revealed a rectangular structure 390 X 102ft with 2 circular towers on each side and rectangular corner towers. A pottery salt cellar in the form of a jester, probably 17th century in date, and a gold finger ring with an inscription stating that it belonged to the Keeper of the Castle of Mere were said to have been recovered during the excavation. B)Castle Hill represents the remains of an Enclosure Castle, one of only 126 recorded nationally. Substantial below-ground remains exist on the site. Periods of 'robbing' of stone are documented. Geophysical survey data supplied by GSB (held by Wessex Archaeology) suggests that at least some areas survive in relatively good condition, although it is clear that other areas survive as rubble. Celia Fiennes described diggings which revealed an apparent 'cell or vault' with white plastered walls in 1888.

Sources

Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine Vol 01, p195 Devizes Museum

Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine Vol 29, p62+229 Devizes Museum

Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine Vol 48, p235+432 Devizes Museum

Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine Vol 49, p157-9 Devizes Museum

The Buildings of England, Wiltshire p34-8 1975 Pevsner, N.

View Larger Map (opens in new window)

Map showing Panoramio pictures and Wikipedia entries for the area around Mere Castle

From the more tab you can use the checkbox to select:-

• Wiki
• Wiki DE
• Photos
• Popular

View Larger Map (opens in new window)