Bramber Castle

Bramber Castle exemplifies early Norman fortification, its motte-and-bailey remains standing at Castle Lane in West Sussex as a testament to Norman ambitions in the decades following the 1066 Conquest. Built around 1075 by William de Braose, a valued Norman knight who fought at Hastings, the fortress originally featured timber defenses atop a naturally elevated mound excavated to create a protective ditch. The de Braose family maintained ownership for over 250 years, gradually replacing timber construction with stone fortifications including sections of curtain wall and a square gate tower. Though large-scale subsidence during the 16th century ruined much of the structure, and subsequent local stone-borrowing removed further evidence, the motte remains a visible landmark and free-access site demonstrating medieval defensive engineering principles.