History Of Framlingham Castle

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History Of Framlingham Castle

Medieval Period

The site has been used since the sixth century. It was an anglo Saxon Fort. Under the Normans from 1066 onwards the Motte and Bailey were built so therefore the Hill at Framlingham is man made. Until 1101 it was under the control of the  King. In 1101 the castle was given to Roger Le Bigod. HE fought with William The Conqueror at the battle of Hastings. He was also given lots of land in Norfolk, he was rewarded by Henry the first. Roger died and was followed by his son William. William however died at a fairly young age sailing back from France. Rogers' second son Hugh then got the estate.

Hugh Bigod

Hugh Bigod inherited the estate in 1120. In 1122 he was made constable of Norwich castle, which meant he looked after the castle for the crown. At this time Henry I only has a daughter called Matilda to take the thrown when he dies. There is a big crisis over gets the thrown. Stephen Of Blois claims the English thrown. Stephen plans to invade England once Henry dies. Henry dies when Matilda is in France so Stephen of Blois invades and is crowned King. Henry Bigod supports Stephens invasion but Hugh had promised Henry that he would help Matilda get the thrown. In the next year Hugh turns against king Stephen, he launches a rebellion from Norwich castle. King Stephen crushes this rebellion but forgives Hugh. In 1153 Hugh supports another invasion this time by Henry of Anjoue. The invasion is successful and Henry is crowned Henry II. In 1157 Hugh turns against Henry and Henry takes his army to Norfolk and defeats Hugh. Hugh however still keeps his estates. In 1173 Hugh then supports Henry the seconds son against Henry. However Hugh doesn’t get any support so gives in and bribes other barons so they don’t come in and take his estates. In 1174 Hugh attacks Norwich castle, Henry comes into Norwich and Hugh is forced to give in but keeps his land. The Bigods then abandon Framlingham as their base and move to Orford. Hugh Bigod dies in 1177 and the King confiscates Framlingham and the Bigods other estates.

Roger Bigod II

Richard becomes king to become Richard II. Richard likes the Bigod family and returns their estates including Framlingham. Roger Bigod then builds stonewalls around Framlingham castle. Roger remains loyal to King Richard. After Richard dies his cousin John gets the crown. John is forced to sign the Magna Carta in 1215. John had to follow rules like no other King had to do in English history. Bigod was one of the nobles who had to enforce these rules. John doesn’t like having to follow these rules. In 1216  John attacks Framlingham. The battle lasts two days before Roger is forced to give in. The castle was defended by the following.

26 knights

20 soldiers and archers

7 crossbowmen

a chaplain

and 3 others (as stated in source D)

This shows that not many men were needed to defend a castle.

John confiscates all the Bigod estates. King John dies in 1221. He is succeeded to the thrown by Henry III and the Bigods are given back all their estates once again.

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The next two controllers of Framligham are Hugh and Roger Bigod again but not much is known about these two.

Roger Bigod IV

He leads a rebellion against Edward I in 1297. He did this because the King tried to force barons to fight the war in France. The King threatens with death. In 1307 when roger dies the King confiscates everything.

Mowbrays

In the 1300’s Framlingham is a royal castle. In 1397 Richard II awards the Thomas Mowbray with title of Duke Of Norfolk and so Mowbray is loyal to him. The Mowbrays control ...

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