Hampstead Norris Castle was a Norman castle

Castle

A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...

 in the village of Hampstead Norris

Hampstead Norreys

Hampstead Norreys is a village and civil parish in Berkshire, England.It is situated at on the River Pang, north of Newbury. As well as Hampstead Norreys itself, the parish includes the hamlets of Bothampstead, Eling and Wyld Court...

, Berkshire

Berkshire

Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...

, England

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

.

History

Hampstead Norris Castle is a Norman motte and bailey castle overlooking the village of Hampstead Norris, Berkshire, England. The motte is 25 m wide, and 4.2 m high, made of chalk. The contours of the top suggest that a timber tower or defensive structure was built on the motte. The site was originally believed to be a tumulus

Tumulus

A tumulus is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, Hügelgrab or kurgans, and can be found throughout much of the world. A tumulus composed largely or entirely of stones is usually referred to as a cairn...

, until later work confirmed its Norman origins. Local historian David Ford suspects that the castle may have been constructed after the Norman conquest of England

Norman conquest of England

The Norman conquest of England began on 28 September 1066 with the invasion of England by William, Duke of Normandy. William became known as William the Conqueror after his victory at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, defeating King Harold II of England...

 by Theodoric the Goldsmith.

Today the castle is surrounded by woodland and is a scheduled monument.