Exeter, Devonshire, England

Rougemont Gatehouse ruins

Rougemont Castle sits on the highest part of a natural rock knoll on which the city is built. It was named Rougemont from the redness of the soil.

According to Grafton's chronicle there was originally a fortification built here by Julius Caesar. During the 1066 conquest led by the Conqueror, this original castle held out for a while but then a part of the wall began falling down and it was surrendered. William altered the gate of the castle to mark it as being subdued.

The Rougemont was built here in 1086 after The Conqueror subjected the city. He rebuilt and repaired the edifice and gave it to Baldwin de Brioni, the husband of his niece Albereda. Her descendants through the female line enjoyed the castle and the office of the Sheriff of Devon. It was the seat of several Saxon Kings and since that time was the seat of the dukes of Cornwall.

A chapel was built inside the walls by Lady Eliz De Fortibus. Its curtain works are surrounded by round towers. She was Countess of Devon and endowed the castle with lands called prebends of Hayes and Catton. The lands were given in payment for the performance of weekly services.

The castle besieged by King Stephen in 1136, was a Royal residence in the reign of King John but had ceased to have any military importance by 1300.

A plaque near the gatehouse recalls that in 1685 Alice Molland the last person executed for witchcraft in England, was executed in Exeter. It fell into disrepair and was in bad condition by 1774.

Parts of the castle that were built later than the Conquest are still in use as an Assize court. However a new courts complex is under construction.

Some Information from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exeter

The above image has been (or is hereby) released into the public domain by its creator, Seglea.
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