Castle Howe

Castle Howe is a motte and bailey castle in the town of Kendal, England.

Castle Howe
Kendal, Cumbria, England
The motte of Castle How
Site information
Type	Motte and bailey
Location
Castle Howe Location in South Lakeland Show map of the former South Lakeland district Castle Howe Location in Cumbria Show map of Cumbria
Coordinates	54.3239°N 2.7518°W / 54.3239; -2.7518
Grid reference	grid reference SD512923

History

John Speed's depiction of Castle Howe in 1611, with the motte (l) and bailey (r)

Castle Howe was built after the Norman conquest of England, either in 1087 by the Norman nobleman Ivo Taillebois, or by the nobleman Ketel some time after 1100.^[1] The castle was designed as a motte and bailey fortification, with a circular motte 11 m high and 48 m wide at the base, and a curved bailey hugging the ridge alongside it.^[2]

The castle was abandoned in the 12th century, either by one Gilbert, or by William de Lancaster.^[1] The bailey was later destroyed when the area was turned into a park.^[3] The remaining earthworks are maintained South Lakeland District Council, with information boards placed at the foot of the motte.^[4]

See also

• Castles in Great Britain and Ireland
• List of castles in England