Hadleigh Castle England

Hadleigh Castle

Southeast England

 

Hadleigh Castle in the English county of Essex overlooks the Thames estuary from a ridge to the south of the town of Hadleigh. Built after 1215 during the reign of Henry III by Hubert de Burgh, the castle was surrounded by parkland and had an important economic, as well as defensive role. Hadleigh was significantly expanded by Edward III, who turned it into a grander property, designed to defend against potential French attack as well as provide the king with a convenient private residence close to London. Built on a geologically unstable hill of London clay, the castle has often been subject to subsidence; this, combined with the sale of its stonework in the 16th century has led to it now being ruined. The castle is now preserved by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building and scheduled monument 

 

Back View of the castle

Remnants of the front corner tower

Rear view of main corner tower



Melting area for lead when the castle was scrapped for its metal

front view of the main 2 towers

Main tower, angle 2

Inside of tower

Inside of larger tower

Inscriptions under on the under side, inside of the tower

More inscriptions, window 2

The Mrs.

larger tower, that's me.

John Constable - Hadleigh Castle, The Mouth of the Thames--Morning after a Stormy Night - 1829