The city of Cambridge, England, is commonly associated with its university—established in 1209—but what many people don’t think of are the city’s far older military fortifications.
Located on the north side of the River Cam, Castle Mound provides elevated views of the river in both directions. Archaeological evidence indicates that the site was settled as early as the Iron Age. The Roman Empire built a small fort on the hill, but this was later demolished in the second century.
In 1068, William the Conqueror built a new castle on the mound. This one would be used through the medieval era but would fall into disrepair by the time of the Tudor dynasty. The site was briefly used as a fortification again during the English Civil War, but after this, it ceased to be used for military purposes.
The castle’s gatehouse, however, would continue to be used as a jail for centuries after the medieval era. Then, between 1807 and 1811, a new jail was built at the site, with a courthouse added later. This would continue to function until the twentieth century, when a new jail was built elsewhere. The buildings at the site were finally demolished in 1932.
Since then, all that has remained of the castle is the motte and some limited remnants of the earthworks. However, the location has been designated a Scheduled Monument, which ensures that the remaining structures will not be built on or altered. Castle Mound is now used as a park where people can either relax on the grass or climb the hill to get a view of the rooftops of the buildings in Cambridge.
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