ourpasthistory.com » England

Eynsford Castle

Following her first outing with us, Alison was really keen to organise another one, and so she, Shaun, Anne, Bob, Mark and Caz, together with attendant children and later joined by Alison's friend Andrew and his partner Jackie(sp?), foregathered at Eynsford Castle on 10th August.

The villagers clearly want to keep the castle to themselves, as the entrance is well-hidden down a tiny side street which you'd barely notice, with the tiniest sign you've ever seen. Despite being warned about this, I think every one of us missed the turning and had to turn round and come back!

Eynsford Castle

 

Once found, however, the castle was a joy. Built in 1088 over the foundations of what is now believed to be the house of the pre-Conquest lord of the manor, the first thing the visitor sees is the impressive flint outer wall. This was built in two stages and was never battlemented, indicating that this castle was always domestic rather than military. The buildings inside the wall seem to have followed a fairly standard pattern, with an undercroft for storage with a hall, reached by an external staircase, above. The hall, used for eating, meetings and sleeping, led to the solar, the private living quarters for the lord and his family. Unusually, the undercroft beneath the solar formed a self-contained apartment. It had its own entrance, fireplace and well and even its own garderobe (toilet to you and me). Who says granny annexes are a new invention! It is believed to have been used by the bailiff, or some other important member of the household, although most unlikely to have been a member of the family.
Eynsford Castle


Originally the kitchen was entirely separate, across the courtyard, but following a disastrous fire in the 1200's a new one was built adjacent to the hall. The old one continued in use until the castle was abandoned in the 1300's. The abandonment followed a raid in which the castle was sacked, apparently as part of a dispute over the ownership. Evidence has been found of considerable, systematic destruction. A violent end, but it has left ruins which the Cantiaci children had great fun exploring!

Following lunch at the pub (lovely food, pity about all the wasps wanting to share it!), we adjourned to Lullingstone villa.

report by Anne B
photos by Shaun and Alison R

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