Regency Destinations: Bodiam Castle

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BODIAM CASTLE BODIAM CASTLE stands at a small distance east of the village of the same name six miles from BATTLE and like most of our ancient mansions is situated low and encompassed by a deep moát This castle was once a magnificent pile and is still noble even in ruins its figure is nearly square having a round tower at each angle gates on the north and south fronts and a square tower in the centre of the east and west sides The principal entrance is on the north side over a kind of causeway defended by an advanced gate the remains of which are still standing it is extremely grand flanked by two square machicolated towers Over the entrance are three escutcheons of arms beneath a crest of an unicorn's head the

iron portcullis quite entire is yet in its place over this entrance This castle is said to have been built by one of the Dalingrigs a family of ancient note in this county The widow of sir Richard Dalingrig in the reign of Henry the Fourth married sir Thomas Boteler knt lord Boteler of Wemme he held it during her life as her jointure It afterwards passed to sir Thomas Lewkenor who married Phillippa daughter and heiress of sir Richard Dalingrig from the Lewkenors it came to the earl of Thanet from whom it was purchased by the Powels who sold it to sir Thomas Webster bart and it is now the property of sir Godfrey Webster bart Hastings Guide, 1819

Nestled in East Sussex, England near Robertsbridge, the 14th century Bodiam Castle was built by a former knight of Edward III.  Moated, the castle was dismantled by the mid 1600s and stood as a scenic ruin until John Fuller purchased it in 1829 and partially restored it.  It would then be sold to 1st Baron Ashcombe, then Lord Curzon who would also undertake restoration work.

In the Regency era, it would have appeared a delightful ruin, like so many follies springing up on country estates, an idyllic repast for visitors and locals.

This Castle was founded by Sir John Dalyngrudge of East Grinstead a gallant soldier in the wars of Edward III and of a company of Free Companions he having married the daughter and heiress of John de Wardiew who had brought him in dowry the manor of Bodiam In 1380 he was appointed one of a great commission to inquire into the estates of the realm and the expenses of the household of the youthful King and in 1385 he obtained permission from Richard II to erect the Castle on the estate of his wife he was also made Governor of the Tower and Custos of London but being suspected of being too lenient to the Londoners he was soon superseded The licence to fortify the Castle bears date 1385 and is the first and almost only instance of leave being given to make a Castle The term for resistance against our enemies was no idle one for the French had within the last twenty years repeatedly ravaged the neighbourhood of Hastings Fairlight and Winchelsea eight years previously had besieged the valiant Abbot of Battle in that town and in 1380 they burnt Rye Winchelsea Hastings and Portsmouth
The Castle itselt which we now approach is nearly square with circular towers sixty five f et high at the four corners connected by embattled curtains in the centre of each of which square towers rise to an equal height with the circular The gateway is a majestic structure composed of two flanking towers defended by numerous oiletts for arrows embattled parapets and deep machicolations whence stones and other missiles could be hurled on the heads of an attacking force Immediately over the gateway are three shields recently covered by ivy bearing the arms of Bodiam Dalyngrudge and Wardieu The ancestral arms were often placed over the principal entrance of a Castle to denote the descent of the owner Above this was the crest of the Dalyngrudges a unicorn's head A huge portcullis still frowns grimly over us as we enter a vaulted chamber about thirty feet by ten at the intersections of the groinings of which are openings into chambers above through which melted lead pitch oil or water could be showered down on assailants below for the first door and portcullis being passed there was another half way through the passage and yet a third to be overcome before entrance could be obtained into the court yard Mr Lowerno mean authority says I do not recollect any other instance of such multiplied defences in the gateway of a Castle of this period Abbeys, Castles and Ancient Halls of England and Wales: South, 1872

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