Building the Castle

In the 1230s Hubert de Burgh, earl of Kent, spent great sums of money building Hadleigh Castle. But he was unable to enjoy his new castle for long.

Hadleigh Castle was unfortunately built on geologically unstable clay. There were already problems in 1274, when it was said to be ‘badly built and decayed’. Subsequent land slips have displaced the south wall of the castle and caused the collapse of most of the north-east tower © English Heritage In 1215 King John gave this area of land, known as the manor of Hadleigh, along with many other gifts, to Hubert de Burgh, his chief minister or justiciar. Hubert was a trusted follower of the king, and was the custodian of two important royal castles at Windsor and Dover. At Dover he was soon to prove his great military skill by successfully defending the castle during a fierce siege in 1216.

Effectively ruler of England during young Henry III's childhood, Hubert built this large turreted castle as a statement of his power. His successful career came to an end after quarrels with the king, and he was forced to return his lands, including Hadleigh in 1239.

The castle remained in royal hands, but it was not until the time of Edward II, nearly 100 years later, that the king began to use the castle as a royal residence.