Remains Of St Nicholas'S College

WALLINGFORD CASTLE LANE SU6089NE (West side) Wallingford 10/60 Remains of St. Nicholas's 09/12/49 College

GV I

Ruins of walls. Probably C13 with C15, C16 and later alterations. Uncoursed limestone rubble. L-shaped wall. Long stroke of L approx. 25m. long and 10m. high. Short stroke of L approx. 15m. long and of varying height. 2-centre archway to short stroke. Irregular fenestration of mostly damaged openings. C19 outbuilding attached to north side. History; Wallingford Castle was begun in 1067 by order of William the Conqueror; supervised by Robert D'Oyley. Motte and Bailey castle completed in 1071. Castle expanded in C13 under King John, and King Henry III, when it was held by Richard, Earl of Cornwall. In 1307 the castle and town were given by Edward II to Piers Gaveston, created Baron Wallingford. In 1335 Edward III gave the castle to his son Edward. the Black Prince, Duke of Cornwall, who spent large sums on repairs and improvements. Held during most of C15 by Chaucer and de la Pole families of Ewelme. By 1540's the castle had fallen into disrepair and stone was being used for other buildings in the town. During the Civil War it was fortified as a Royalist stronghold. Charles I inspected the new works in 1643. Siege of Wallingford in 1646 when colonel Blagge was besieged for 16 weeks by Cromwell's troops. On 17th November 1652 Cromwell's Council of State ordered its demolition. This fragment traditionally thought to form part of St. Nicholas's College, the King's Chapel in the Castle. The Castle area is scheduled as an ancient monument. (V.C.H. : Berkshire, Vol.III, 1923, p.523-531; "Wallingford Castle, a brief guide", 1984; Buildings of England: Berkshire, 1966, p.248).

Listing NGR: SU6089889598