No trace exists of Ipswich Castle, two locations are suggested:-
- Between Christchurch Park and the town centre at 52.0616,1.14976
- Near to the site of Castle Hill Roman Villa at 52.0751,1.1329
There was a Norman castle here which Hugh Bigod the Restless (“inquietissimus”) maintained for some time against King Stephen in the interests of the Empress Maud, but which he yeas forced at last to surrender. The fortress has so entirely disappeared that no one can tell where it was situated. Some have stated that it stood in the parish of Westerfield where traces exist of a building or earthworks. it was probably destroyed by Henry II. in 1174 at the same time as Walton Castle. (Castles Of England, Sir James D. Mackenzie, 1896)
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