Rayleigh Mount is one of the best Norman motte and bailey castle sites of Essex, a county blessed with several fine examples. The castle mound is set within a ditch surrounded by a wide rampart, which stretches to form a bailey on one side.
History
Rayleigh Castle existed at the time of the Domesday Book in 1086. It was probably erected by Sweyn of Essex, son of Robert fitz Wymarc, shortly after the Norman Conquest.
The castle was in use until the 13th century. Excavations on the site show that the base of the castle mound was reinforced with rubble to shore up the mass of the mound.
The nearby windmill, operated by Rochford District Council, houses a display on the history of the castle mound.
About Rayleigh Mount
Address: Rayleigh, Essex, England, SS6 7HD
Attraction Type: Castle
Location: The castle mound is located near Mill Hall car park, 100 yards or so off High Street in Rayleigh centre
Website: Rayleigh Mount
National Trust
Location map
OS: TQ805909
Photo Credit: John Myers, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
HERITAGE
We've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions
and learn more about major time periods mentioned.
Find other attractions tagged with:
13th century (Time Period) - castle (Architecture) - Domesday Book (Historical Reference) - motte and bailey (Historical Reference) - Norman (Architecture)
NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest
Rayleigh Town Museum - 0.2 miles (Museum) 
Hadleigh Castle - 3 miles (Castle)
RHS Garden Hyde Hall - 5.6 miles (Garden) 
Vange, All Saints Church - 6.3 miles (Historic Church) 
Cooling, St James Church - 9.8 miles (Historic Church)
Cliffe, St Helen's Church - 9.8 miles (Historic Church)
Maldon Moot Hall - 10.4 miles (Historic Building)
Maldon, St Mary's Church - 10.4 miles (Historic Church)
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