Dunwich Castle

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Dunewico

In the civil parish of Dunwich. In the historic county of Suffolk (Modern Authority of Suffolk, 1974 county of Suffolk).

Mentioned 1217. Eroded into sea.
De custodia terre E. de. Vescy. Rex militibus, libere tenentibus et aliis omnibus de terra que fuit Eustachii de Vescy, salutem. Sciatis quod commisimus dilectis et fidelibus nostris, Willelmo de Duston et Radulfo de Norwico, clerico nostro, totam terram cum pertineneiis, que fuit predicti Eustachii, custodiendam quamdiu nobis placuerit, exceptis castro et villa de Dunewico, que commisimus venerabili patri nostro, R. Dunelmensi episcopo. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod eisdem Willelmo et Radulfo, tamquam custodibus et baillivis vestris, in omnibus sitis intendentes et respondentes. Et in hujus rei testimonium etc. ut supra. Teste, apud Oxoniam, xiiij die Novembris, anno regni nostri secundo. (CPR)
The lack of other mentions might suggest this was a use of 'castro' in the sense of administrative centre rather than fortress, although Dunwich was a sizeable town and a significant building in a fortified style is not unlikely.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is TM4970

Air Photo from Air Photo and general mapping	1st edition OS Map from Mid to late 19th century maps
Modern Map from Landscape form and features	Modern Map from General location and route planning
Geograph British Isles occasionally has photos of the site and will usually give an idea of the surrounding landscape.

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's English Heritage (PastScape) Defra or Monument number is 921243
Further information may be available from the holder of the county Historic Environment Record. In particular 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website, or elsewhere.

• Books
  • Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles of East Anglia (Malvern) p75
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol2 p460
• Journal Articles
  • Scarfe, N., 1971, 'Note on the historical records of Dunwich's defences' Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History Vol32 pt1 p34-7
• Primary (Medieval documents or transcriptions of such documents - This section is far from complete and the secondary sources should be consulted for full references.)
  • Calendar of Patent Rolls (1216-1225) p126-7