Tiverton Castle
Description
Tiverton Castle stands above the River Exe in Tiverton, Devon, and consists today of a country house surrounded by the ruins of a much larger medieval fortress. The site originated with a Norman motte built in 1106 by Richard de Redvers, whose family later became Earls of Devon. Tiverton Castle remained an important stronghold throughout the Middle Ages and was the principal seat of the Courtenay family, one of the most powerful noble dynasties in the region.
During the English Civil War, the castle was held by Royalist forces. In October 1645, Parliamentarian troops under Sir Thomas Fairfax besieged it. A cannon shot broke the chain of the drawbridge, allowing soldiers to storm the castle and quickly end the siege. To prevent further military use, much of the defensive structure was deliberately dismantled after its capture.
Following the war, the castle passed through several families, including the Giffards, Wests, and Carews. Parts of the ruins were adapted into a residence during the 17th century, transforming the site from a fortress into a country house. In the 20th century, Tiverton Castle was restored as a private home and remains a notable historical landmark reflecting both medieval power and post-Civil War change.