Stansted Mountfitchet castle.

Described as a motte and bailey castle it is more likely that it was a ringwork and bailey castle. The castle was built by Robert de Gernon who came to England with William I ,the family later changed their name to Mountfitchet. The castle was destroyed in 1215 when the then owner Richard (II) de Montfichet rebelled against King John and was the youngest of the barons to sign the Magna Carta. It was not rebuilt after this time. In 1980 work was started to reconstruct the castle leading historians, archaeologists and craftsmen were drafted in from all over the country to make the castle as accurate and authentic as possible. Although some people will dislike the way it has been done i think it is a fantastic place to take those of us who want to get a feel of what a Norman castle would have been like.