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Medieval motte and bailey castle. Motte measuring 50 m at its base and standing 8.2 m high. Defended by a counterscarp bank with the entrance to the bailey at the south west. There were five baileys.
Fireplace recess in keep has a round flue.
The Lords of Kilpeck were also known as the ‘Keeper of The Haye of Hereford’.
650 Kilpeck was given to the Diocese of Llandaff.
8 C Saxon fortifications.
1086 Domesday: Belonged to William Fitz Norman and called Chipeete . Manor given by William I to William Fitz Norman who then built the castle.
11-12 C Built. Defences constructed of timber.
1135-1154 During: Henry de Kilpeck was fined by King Stephen for hunting in the Forest of Treville, the Kings forest.
1196 Henry Kilpeck died and his son, John inherited the castle
12 C Dating from: Pottery sherds found.
12 C Late: Polygonal shell enclosure built on the mound and had a kidney shaped bailey.
1211 King John visited the castle.
1213 King John visited the castle.
1214 King John visited the castle.
1231 Hugh de Kilpeck and others negotiated with Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, for peace.
* When Hugh de Kilpeck died he left the castle to his daughter, Isabella, who was wife of William Waulerand, Sheriff of Wiltshire.
* Isabella’s son, Robert, inherited the castle. He was Sheriff of Gloucester and fought for Henry III at the Battle of Evesham, he was also Baron of Parliament.
1272 Robert, Lord of Kilpeck, died and the castle went to Alan de Plukenet, his sister’s son.
1299 Alan de Plukenet died and his son, Alan, inherited the castle.
1299-1307 Between: Edward I granted permission for Alan to hold a weekly market at Kilpeck.
1313 Alan de Plukenet died and his sister, Joanna, inherited the castle.
1315 Joanna, Countess of Hereford and Lady of Kilpeck died and her husband, William de Bohun, gave the castle to James Boteler, Earl of Ormond.
14 C The lands were fought over by the heirs of Robert Walerond, Lord of Kilpeck Castle.
1442 Until: Stayed in the hands of the Earls of Ormond. Then Edward IV gave the lands to Sir William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke.
1497 Sir William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, was beheaded at Northampton by insurgents.
15 C Dating from: Pottery sherds found.
1540-1546 Itinerary of John Leland: Ruins.
1641-1649 Owned by Sir Walter Pye, who held and garrisoned it for Charles I.
1645 Captured by Parliament and orders were given for its demolition.
1982 Excavated.
1998 Watching Brief.
20 C Rampart remains found to the north and south of the site and traces of a causeway to the motte.