Kilpeck Castle: Chipeete

• Kilpeck, Herefordshire.
• OSGB – SO 44412 30489.
• Scheduled Monument.
• Grade II Listed Building.

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.