Post by Sir Richard of Launceston on Dec 8, 2008 21:23:19 GMT
The castle is a Norman motte and bailey earthwork castle raised by Robert, Count of Mortain, half-brother of William the Conqueror shortly after the Norman conquest, as early as 1067. It became the administrative headquarters for the great Earls of Cornwall where they could control the vast estates that they owned throughout the area. The castle remained with little development, apart from an inner keep added in the 12th century. During the 13th century, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, a younger brother of Henry III began to rebuild the castle in stone. Lord Launceston, cousin to Richard, Earl of Cornwall, now lives in the castle. Sir Richard of Launceston was named after the Earl, as he deceased just days before Richard was born. The castle is incredibly beautiful, overlooking most of Launceston. It stands on a small hill, that has man made layers, the lower they get the lower the status of the person who lives their. The top layer is, of course, the where the castle stands strong, the next layer is where most of the knights or important men live, and then the layers from their down are the army or peasants. Sir Richard, being the Lord's son, is lucky enough to live in the castle itself. This where he can mainly be found most of the year.