In February we welcomed Kevin Rodgers for a return visit to the Society. On this occasion Kevin came to talk to us about the history of Wisbech Castle, a topic which was the subject of his latest book, ‘The Castle at Wisbech’.
His presentation covered the various buildings that have been on the site; four actual castles – plus the subsequent structures still known as Wisbech Castle.
The first castle was probably just a motte and bailey wooden stockade possibly built on the orders of William the Conqueror. As Wisbech was located at the junction of the Welle stream and the river Ouse, the location formed an important crossing place, and the castle provided a general fortress for observation and control.
A century or so later the building had changed to a small stone castle. There being no natural stone in the area, all stone was imported, probably from Northamptonshire, by river. All representations of the first two buildings are guesswork as no images of these designs have been found.
In October 1216 King John stayed at Wisbech for one night, when en route from King’s Lynn to Swineshead, and is said to have dined on peaches and new cider. It was this journey where his treasure was lost in The Wash. However, were they lost or purloined after hearing of his death? As recently as two years ago, near Holbeach, a firm granted permission for a green energy plant promised as part of their planning application to search for the jewels!
Castle three was made of wood and stone in the 1400’s at the time of the Guild of the Holy Trinity. Kevin told us of the brass of Sir Thomas Braunstone (Constable of the castle) which is to be found in the nave of the Church of St Peter and St Paul. It was moved from a side aisle in 1855, during renovations.
The Seal of Sir John Colvile (Constable in 1410) shows us the first representation of the building. Edward IV stayed in the town on several occasions, most likely at the castle.
The castle then fell into disrepair and was given to the Bishop of Ely – Dr John Morton (Cardinal Morton) (b1420 – d1500). Cardinal Morton was a supporter of Edward IV but not a supporter of Richard III. The stone castle was taken down and a Bishop’s Palace of brick was built
The castle has a long history of being a prison for both Catholics and Protestants during the religious toing and froing during and after the Reformation. It was noted that prisoners were kept in locked rooms but not in ‘dungeons’. What have often been
John Thurloe (1616 – 1668), Secretary of State and Chief Administrator to Oliver Cromwell, was given the castle and by 1656/57 it was rebuilt as ‘Thurloe’s Mansion’ – a handsome building similar in design to Thorpe Hall in Peterborough. But, it was his for only four years – Oliver Cromwell was gone and the country reverted to a monarchy.
The building was restored and given back to the Bishop of Ely and leased to the Southwell family for 105 years.
The building was sold by Bishop James Yorke who had plans to place 105 houses on the site. His influence remains in the names of nearby areas such as Ely Place, James Street and Yorke Place.
Joseph Medworth, a property developer, bid for the five separate lots and paid £2305 in total. Born in Wisbech (1752) and apprenticed as a bricklayer, Joseph moved to London but then returned as a successful developer (leaving behind his wife and two adolescent children). He lived in the Mansion and his development reflected the Bishop’s plans for a Circus with the castle in the centre but with 50 houses, not 105. Wisbech is one of the smallest towns to have a circus.
Medworth bought the land in 1793 and started work in 1797 which took 12/13 years to complete. Joseph Medworth had a housekeeper for two years, with whom he had two children and later a second housekeeper with whom he had seven more children. By 1816 Medworth was a prominent man and no-one objected to his domestic arrangement. He acknowledged and raised all his children to whom he left many of the houses he built in his will.
Medworth went on to propose the opening of Market Street with plans to continue across the Market Place to the river. He had demolished Thurloe’s Mansion and built the current Regency building still known as Wisbech Castle. He offered the mansion to the Council as he thought it would make a good school. However, they declined to accept his plans saying that it would be cheaper to acquire after he died!.
When Thurloe’s Mansion was demolished, the undercroft was exposed. Earth from the area was used to infill, hence the lawn in that area being at a lower level. An entrance was put in place and the tunnels opened up and traces of a medieval wall were found.
After a busy life as a private residence, the building was later owned by Cambridgeshire County Council (having been left to CCC by Gordon Fendick’s widow for educational purposes – Gordon Fendick being the former Chief Education Officer of the Isle of Ely). Following CCC deciding to sell it, is now leased to Wisbech Town Council for a peppercorn rent. It is open to the public occasionally, and is the venue for Ghost Hunts!