TimeRef - History Timelines - Wallingford Castle

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Wallingford Castle consists of the remains of a motte and bailey castle in the corner of a village enclosure on the west bank of the Thames where it was possible to cross the river. Records indicate that the site was attacked by the Danes in 1006 and rebuilt in 1013. A castle existed at the time of the Conquest belonging to a Saxon called Wigod. Wigod supported William the Conqueror after the Battle of Hastings. In 1067 Robert D'Oyley of Liseux married Wigod's daughter and built a new castle at a strategic site. The castle was built as part on the Norman Conquest and would have been complete by 1071 when the Abbot of Abingdon was reportedly imprisoned there. During the anarchy involving King Stephen and Matilda the castle was held by Brian FitzCount who supported Matilda. Stephen built two siege towers around Wallingford to try and take the castle but failed. In 1153 Henry, Matilda's son and later Henry II, attacked the siege forts that Stephen had built and a peace treaty was concluded which stated that Henry would become King after Stephen's death. Henry II received the castle after the period of anarchy ended. In 1264 Prince Edward, King Henry III's son (later Edward I) was held prisoner here by Simon de Montfort. He was moved to Kenilworth Castle after trying to escape.

Mini Timeline

1067		Construction of Wallingford Castle
		A castle at Wallingford was built in this year. It would have been a motte and bailey type castle.
1071		Abbot of Abingdon imprisoned
		The Abbot of Abingdon was imprisoned at Wallingford Castle.
1139		Wallingford Castle siege
		After Brian fitz Count the owner of the castle at Wallingford sided with Matilda, king Stephen built two siege castles to force him out.
1153	Nov 6	Treaty of Wallingford
		Henry had besieged a fort that Stephen had built at Crowmarsh on the banks of the Thames opposite Wallingford Castle. An agreement of succession of Henry II after Stephen was concluded and witnessed by the English Knights Templars. King Stephen accepted Henry of Normandy, Anjou and Aquitaine as heir to the throne and in turn Henry recognised Stephen as king. Stephen made his barons do homage to Henry (Jan.1154).
1167		Construction of Wallingford Castle
		Robert D'Oyley of Liseux built the castle at a strategic site of Wallingford where it was possible to cross the river Thames. Originally the castle would have been a motte and bailey type castle.
1173 - 1174		Wallingford Castle repairs
		Repairs to the castle at Wallingford.
1215		Wallingford Castle fortified
		The fortifications at Wallingford castle were strengthened at this time.
1264	Summer	Edward moved to Kenilworth
		Edward (I) was held captive at Wallingford Castle but after an escape attempt he was moved to Kenilworth Castle.