Bramber Castle, West Sussex

Bramber Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey castle built by William De Braose about 1070. Most of the surviving remains date from this time.

Except for a period of confiscation during the reign of King John, Bramber Castle remained in the ownership of the De Braose family until the line died out in 1324.

Although very little survives, the basic layout of Bramber Castle can still be identified. The most prominent feature is a large, rugged lump of stone, all that remains of the Gatehouse tower. Still standing to almost its full height, a single window, and some floor joist holes, are clearly visible within the structure. Beyond the Gatehouse are the existing foundations of what is believed to have been living quarters and a guardhouse.

There is also a small church (still in use today ) located directly next to the castle's entrance, which used to be a chapel for the castle's inhabitants.

The De Braose family were left in possession of their estates by the service of ten knights' fees to the Crown, but in John I's tyrannical reign the troubles of the owners of Bramber Castle began. In the year 1203 the anger of the barons began to find voice, and John I, alarmed at the symptoms of disaffection, required hostages of them.

William de Braose was one of the suspected nobles, and John demanded his children as hostages for his fidelity. William sternly refused to send his children to the king, his wife adding that "she would not trust her children with the king who had so basely murdered Prince Arthur, his kinsman." King John I, never forgave these words and ordered the family to be seized. When they were captured they were taken to Windsor Castle, where the family were shut up together in a room and the whole family (with one exception) were there starved to death by John's order. One son, William de Breose, who was married and had a son, escaped and fled to France but died shortly afterwards.

John I had previously taken possession of his estates and given them to his son Richard; but he restored Bramber to William's son Reginald, the last of his family.

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