Old Sarum Castle

In 1069, after recognising the defensive qualities of Seresberi, now known as Old Sarum, William the Conqueror built a motte-and-bailey castle within an older Iron Age hillfort known as Sorviodunum, constructed around 400 BC. The courtyard was added around 1100 by Bishop Roger and he also began work on a royal palace during the 1130s, prior to his arrest by Henry's successor Stephen. and directed the royal administration and exchequer along with his extended family. This palace was long thought to have been the small structure whose ruins are located in the small central bailey; it may, however, have been the large palace recently discovered in the southeast quadrant of the outer bailey.…