Tiverton grew up as a settlement in the 9th century, close to where the River Lowman joins the River Exe. The pink-sandstone castle was built between the 12th to 14th centuries, and was once the home of the Courtenay family, Earls of Devon.
One of Tiverton's assets during the Middle Ages was its supply of fresh drinking water, which still bubbles up from Coggan's Well in Fore Street. Here, twice a year, the mayor proclaims the opening of the town fair, and every seven years, in September, the ancient stream is "perambulated" and claimed by the townsfolk.
Textiles have been the basis of Tiverton's prosperity since the 13th century. They still are, but the mills and other factories are hidden on the fringes of the town. Old Blundell's School was built in 1604 by a local wool merchant. The original building in Station Road is preserved by the National Trust, and on its lawn - known as the "Ironing Box" - John Ridd fought Robin Snell in Lorna Doone. The school moved to more extensive premises a mile from the town in" 1882.
Tiverton Castle
Part Grade I Listed and part Scheduled Ancient Monument, few buildings evoke such an immediate feeling of history as Tiverton Castle, originally built in 1106 by Richard de Redvers on orders of Henry I. The de Redvers were the first Earls of Devon and when the line died out in 1293 they were succeeded as Earls by the Courtenays, who rebuilt and enlarged the Castle, and they regarded it as their "head and chief mansion".
Tiverton Castle
In 1495 Princess Katherine Plantagenet, daughter of Edward IV, married William Courtenay who became Earl of Devon. She died in 1527 and was buried in St. Peter's Church. Unfortunately for the Courtenays this royal marriage led to their eventual downfall in that turbulent age, and the senior line died out in 1556, and the Castle subsequently had various owners down the ages.
During the English Civil War the Castle was besieged by Fairfax in 1645, and fell to him due to a lucky shot hitting a drawbridge chain. There is a fine collection of Civil War arms and armour, some pieces of which can be tried on.
Nowadays the Castle is a peaceful, private house, and the buildings, furnishings and exhibits reflect the colourful history and development. With continuing conservation in the Castle and beautiful walled gardens there is always something new and interesting to see.
Tiverton Castle
Tiverton
Devon EX16 6RP
Tel: 01884 253200/255200
Fax: 01884 254200
email: tiverton.castle@ukf.net
www.tivertoncastle.com
An early Castle was possibly raised in Tiverton around 1106. Nothing remains of that construction and what we see today was begun by the ubiquitous Devon family, the Courtenays around the year 1300. The layout; gatehouse, quadrangle, corner towers... is very typical of the period. The 'back' of the Castle stands over the River Exe.
Tiverton Castle
Hugh Courtenay, who built the Castle, became Earl of Devon and made Tiverton his administrative capital. Thus the Castle became very important. The Courtenays feel from favour in 1539 and the Castle became the property of the Giffard family who built the Tudor house into the fabric of the Castle.
Tiverton's moment of glory was during the Civil War. The Roundheads attacked in early 1645, but were repulsed. General Fairfax, the famed Cromwellian commander who did more to win the Civil War than Cromwell ever did, arrived and put paid to both the Castle's resistance (in October of 1645) and to the Giffard family...thereafter he moved on to nearby Bickleigh Castle and did the same to the Carews there.
Fairfax also demolished the western wall, the one which overlooked the River, and slighted the rest of the Castle.
Today Tiverton Castle is a museum and is open to the public during the summer months.
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