User:Tim Landy/Plympton Castle

Plympton Castle is a ruined medieval motte and bailey castle in Plympton, Devon. The castle was constructed in the early 12th century by the de Redvers family after they where granted the barony of Plympton by Henry I. The castle was involved in two sieges in medieval times. First in 1136 during Baldwin de Redvers rebellion against King Stephen. Secondly in 1224 Hugh de Courtenay, sheriff of Devon besieged the castle on behalf of Henry III who had confiscated it from Fawkes de Bréautè. The castle continued to be maintained until the time of the English civil war, when it was abandoned and subsequently fell into ruin.

History
The castle was constructed by the de Redvers family between 1100 and 1130. Richard de Redvers was granted lands in Devon by King Henry I in 1100 and Richard or his son Baldwin built the castle. The castle is mentioned in the Gesta Stephani, when Baldwin was in open rebellion against King Stephen. According to the account in the "Gesta" traitors within the castle opened the gates for the kings forces. Following the surrender, the castle was burned to the ground.

Once the castle was rebuiilt it remained in the de Redvers family until it passed to Falkes de Breaute by marriage to Margaret de Redvers in 1215.