| Location | Eynsford, Kent, England (Google Map Location) |
| Open for Visitors | Yes |
| Owned by | English Heritage |
| Official Website | Eynsford Castle |
| Rooms Available | None |
Located in the picturesque village of Eynsford, the ruined medieval fortification, Eynsford Castle is a one in a million example of an early Norman ‘enclosure castle’. The castle was built by William de Eynsford, sometime between 1085 and 1087, to safeguard the terrains of Lanfranc, the Archbishop of Canterbury, from Odo, the Bishop of Bayeux.
History
Constructed on a prior Anglo-Saxon stone burh site, the de Eynsford family were owners of the Eynsford castle until their male line ceased to exist in 1261. It was divided equally among the Heringaud and de Criol families. William Inge, a royal judge, bought half of the castle in 1307, and contentions occurred between him and his co-proprietor, Nicholas de Criol, who then scoured Eynsford in 1312. The palace was never reoccupied and fell into ruins, and in the eighteenth century, it was utilized as kennels for hunting dogs. The remains started to be reestablished later in 1897, and work took off later in 1948 when the Ministry of Works assumed control over the running of the castle. Currently, Eynsford Castle is owned by the English Heritage and is available to guests.
In 2018, a few articles of a “Ghostly ‘black monk‘ ” at Eynsford Castle were accounted for in sensationalist newspapers. An individual, Jon Wickes, and his child visited the castle and took a few photos. On getting back from the outing, Mr Wickes saw a dark ‘covered’ figure in the background of the photographs. He asserts in an article that he was certain the figure was not there when he snapped the photo. He searched the web and found an article about a priest’s phantom, which is often seen in the castle. He then, at that point, went to the paranormal agent, Alan Tigwell. After spending substantial time on the castle grounds, Tigwell cited in the sensationalist newspapers that there could be no other clarification for the picture than the phantom of a priest.
Architecture
The castle was established not long after the Norman Conquest of 1066. A Saxon structure on the site was made out of a wood lookout on a counterfeit motte. No proof of this is visible today.
The amazing curtain wall was constructed sometime between 1085 and 1087, presumably by William de Eynsford I, a knight and sheriff of Kent. In 1130, the wall was elevated, and a door tower was constructed to fortify the castle. The most noteworthy piece of these eleventh-century augmentations was, without a doubt, the Great Hall. The ground floor of the construction (which can, in any case, be still seen today) was utilized essentially for storage and served as the accommodation for the bailiff of the palace. On the primary floor would have been the main hall and the living quarters for the Lord of the palace. These structures were remade in 1250, following a fire.
Eynsford Castle initially contained an inward and an external bailey. The first castle bridge was built from wood. However, this was remade with stone veneers and wharves in the late medieval period and afterwards consequently supplanted with an earth bank, further worked on in the mid-nineteenth century. A gatehouse initially secured the entry, with an angled path produced using Roman block flanked by guardrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who lived in Eynsford castle?
The first proprietor of Eynsford Castle was William de Eynsford I, a knight and sheriff of Kent. The palace was later bought by the Hart Dyke family, who were already the owners of Lullingstone Castle.
What river runs through Eynsford Kent?
The Darent, a Kentish tributary of the River Thames runs through the picturesque village of Eynsford. The beautiful river was also visible from the windows of the Eynsford Castle when it was still in use.
Have you visited this castle before? If yes, why not share some beautiful pictures with us!
You can email us your pictures of the castle at castrumtocastle@gmail.com. Please use the name of the castle in the subject line.
Also, don’t forget to mention your name and social media profile link if you want the credits!
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Debayan Dey
He is a versatile E-Learning Support Officer and former Academic Officer at the University of York, United Kingdom. Not just an expert in education and technology, Debayan also has a deep love for castles and mountains. With a passion for travel, having explored 168+ cities worldwide, and a keen eye for photography, He brings a unique blend of experiences to the table. Specializing in E-learning content, IT support, AR development, and software engineering, Debayan has made a significant impact, educating over 200,000 students on Udemy.
