Projects - Cerney Castle
Castle History
Twelfth century records place the Castle's construction in 1139 at the time of the Anarchy, the civil war in England and Normandy which resulted in a widespread breakdown of law and order between 1135 and 1153.
This conflict was provoked by the succession crisis that followed the accidental death at sea of William Adelin, the only legitimate son of Henry I in 1120.
Henry attempted to install his daughter, the Empress Matilda, as his successor but on his death in 1135, his nephew Stephen of Blois seized the throne throwing the country into a prolonged period of fierce fighting, most notably with Matilda whose forces invaded the south-west in 1139 to establish a stronghold in Bristol.
The castle at South Cerney was built by Miles of Gloucester as part of a defence shield to safeguard Matilda's position and was one of a series constructed by Miles who, once a supporter of the King, had transferred his allegiance to Matilda.
The castle was a frequent scene of skirmishes between the two rival forces, falling to Stephen in 1139 only to be recaptured soon after. According to Michael Oakeshott, contemporary accounts refer to the castle being stormed rather than besieged which suggests it was probably small in size and maybe no more than a wooden stockade.
The castle's subsequent fate is unclear but it was probably demolished by Stephen once hostilities died down during the late 1140s when the civil war degenerated into a stalemate. Alternatively it may have been destroyed some years later by Matilda's son, the future Henry II, with whom Stephen finally negotiated a peace in 1153, recognising him as his heir.
Henry became king the following year on Stephen's death.
