In the middle ages, there were no embanked marshes or river walls, and the area from Haven-beach Marshes to Walbcrswick was flooded at high tide. Salt Creek would then have extended right up to the Earl’s new residence and a quay was built just below at Whin Hill. Here ships could rest for the winter and deliver Barnack from Lincolnshire and other stone for the building of the castle (which was completed by 1260). From this position ships could be seen approaching Dunwich and a watchful eye kept over the estuary. There was also a drawbridge controlling movement in Buss Creek.
From now on details of the castle arc missing. It is more than probable that the estate passed to Lionel Plantagenet, Earl of Clarence, in 1362 when he married into the de Clare family, the male line having died out, so the ownership must remain a mystery.
My same source also states that in 1461, the manor was again held by a Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester. However, as we have already read the family name had died out. So the ownership must remain a mystery. However, we do know that there were disputes over ownership which led to the withdrawal of the right to crenellatc and the manor being taken over by the crown and possibly demolished. In 1485 the manor was granted to the town and Southwold was made a borough.
The castle stood where Hill House is now. The inner bailey may have extended to either Park Lane or more probably to Mill Lane. If there was an outer bailey it would probably have extended from Constitution Hill down to the cliff edge.
There are a few blocks of Barnack stone in the
Skilman’s Hill, SouthwoU
A castle depicted on the screen in Southwold church, dated about 1450. Unfortunately we do not know what Southwold castle looked like.
Walls of the garden of Summer House, Southend, which abuts the back of Skilman’s and a sandstone arch with more Barnack stone is to be found between Summer House and Iona Cottage. A few more pieces of worked stone have been found in the garden of Iona Cottage. At the back of Clyde Cottage and Summer House is a dip which would have been part of a fosse of the original earthworks. I understand it is popular with local youngsters for sledging when the snow comes.
Some damage was done to the area by German shells in January 1917. Were they possibly seeking out Southwold’s lost castle?
World History
