Beverston Castle

Beverston Castle
Gloucestershire, England
Beverston Castle south tower of western range
Beverston Castle
Coordinates	51°38′37″N 2°12′08″W / 51.6437°N 2.2023°W / 51.6437; -2.2023Coordinates: 51°38′37″N 2°12′08″W / 51.6437°N 2.2023°W / 51.6437; -2.2023
Grid reference	grid reference ST861939
Site information
Owner	Private
Open to the public	No
Condition	Inhabited
Site history
Materials	Limestone
Events	English Civil War

Beverston Castle, also known as Beverstone Castle or Tetbury Castle, was constructed as a medieval stone fortress and is situated in the village of Beverston, Gloucestershire, England. The castle was founded in 1229 by Maurice de Gaunt. Much of the castle was in the state of ruin in 2011, but a portion of the structure is occupied, and an expansive handsome garden is part of the estate. The castle is situated in the centre of Beverston village, approximately 200 metres north of the A4135 road transecting Beverston.

The original castle design was in an approximately pentagonal form; later in the early 14th century, a small quadrangular stronghold was added along with a twin-towered gatehouse. Beverston Castle is situated approximately three kilometres west of the town of Tetbury and about two kilometres east of the medieval abbey annex, Calcot Manor. The castle is situated in the Cotswolds, a designated AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

Early Roman remains have been found in the near vicinity at Calcot Manor, indicating habitation of this area as early as the 5th century, although it is likely that earlier Iron Age peoples would have also been in this locale. In the Middle Ages it was called Beverstane, and in mediaeval times the site was known as Beverstone. Another early name for this site was Bureston, derived from the large number of blue stones found here.

The site was the location of an important battle circa 1140 AD between the opposing English armies of King Stephen and Empress Matilda. Maurice de Gaunt constructed the original castle somewhat prior to 1229 without a royal licence, but was granted a licence to crenellate. This early castle was fortified by a T-shaped ditch, part of which is still intact in the survival of a partial moat on the south side of the castle. In the early 14th century, the wealthy Thomas, Lord Berkeley(1293–1361), modified Beverston Castle, erecting a small quadrangular stronghold, with a twin-towered gatehouse. A smaller square tower was added in the late 15th century.