Origins: The Norman Foundation
Warwick Castle's story begins in 1068, just two years after William the Conqueror’s victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. To secure his newly acquired kingdom, William embarked on a widespread campaign of castle-building to establish military control and protect key strategic points. Warwick was among these vital locations due to its position near important trade routes and the River Avon, which provided a natural defensive barrier.
William appointed William FitzOsbern, one of his trusted lieutenants, as Earl of Hereford and granted him the land where Warwick Castle would be established. FitzOsbern quickly ordered the construction of a wooden motte-and-bailey castle on a high earth mound overlooking the river. This initial structure, typical of early Norman fortifications, comprised a wooden keep (the motte) and an enclosed courtyard (the bailey) protected by wooden palisades and a ditch.
The motte-and-bailey design allowed for rapid construction and effective defense. The castle served both as a military stronghold and a symbol of Norman authority in the Midlands, helping to consolidate William’s grip on England. shutdown123