During the times of early medieval castles, the master masons or architects working on the construction of the castles were accorded much significance. This was particularly true for the early medieval castles built by the Normans in Normandy and southern Italy.
However, following the conquest of England by Norman William The Conqueror in 1066, a phase of rapid castle-building in England ensued.
It was during this period and later medieval periods that skilled architects came to be valued significantly, some even being hired directly by the reigning monarchs to design their castles. While the early medieval castle architects specialised in Romanesque traditions, later architects came to be skilled in Gothic architecture as well as in applying innovations of their own.
Early medieval castles in England were mainly constructed by the Normans and often constructed and managed by skilled masons. Although such a mason was valued as a skilled professional, his identity wasn’t considered significant enough to be recorded.
Consequently, little is known about who designed the early medieval castles, and instead, the names of the lords who commissioned the castles were more carefully preserved.
Lord Robert Dudley
It was during the later medieval period that architects who designed notable castles came to be valued highly for their skill and were often given a position close to the king himself. By the late medieval periods, architects were afforded widespread fame in Western Europe, including England, leading them to often enjoy highly rewarding careers.
Famous Architect
Among the recorded notable architects of the early medieval castles, Gundulf is one of the best known. He was a Norman who accompanied William’s army in the 1066 Conquest of England. Following the Conquest, he was made the Bishop of Rochester and remained active in helping William erect a number of key buildings all over England.
Rochester Castle
Among his most notable contributions was the construction of the White Tower at the Tower of London. Gundulf also helped design and build the keeps at the Rochester and Colchester castles. He was considered one of the most prominent architects of the Romanesque style of castle-building.
Among the recorded notable architects of the early medieval castles, Gundulf is one of the best known. He was a Norman who accompanied William’s army in the 1066 Conquest of England. Following the Conquest, he was made the Bishop of Rochester and remained active in helping William erect a number of key buildings all over England.
Following the Conquest of England, Gundulf was made the Bishop of Rochester and remained active in helping William erect a number of key buildings all over England.
Among his most notable contributions was the construction of the White Tower at the Tower of London. Gundulf also helped design and build the keeps at the Rochester and Colchester castles. He was considered one of the most prominent architects of the Romanesque style of castle-building.
Tower of London
Robert de Belleme was another noted Norman architect who accompanied William The Conqueror following his 1066 Conquest of England.
Norman Conquest
William and his Norman lords initially relied on motte-and-bailey castles to quickly cement their hold over their newly acquired English territories. It was a little later that they felt the need to construct more durable stone castles.
Early Stone and Wood Motte Bailey Castle
This is where Robert de Belleme played a vital role as an architect. He was an expert on stone keeps and castles and helped William erect many durable structures in England.
Caste Keep
Henry Yevele was an excellent English architect during the 14th century. His career coincided with the reign of King Edward III. Edward III royally acknowledged the architectural prowess of Yevele who specialised in the Gothic design of castles and other buildings.
Yevele designed some of the most notable English castles built in Gothic style in London and neighbouring areas. He was consequently given the title of being the “Master Mason” of the king’s works.
Among the most notable buildings on which Yevele worked is the famed Tower of London.
Tower of London
St Paul’s Cathedral *Henry Yevele * Master Mason
