Venue Type & Location
Overview
Botreaux Castle was located at the junction of 2 valleys on a slope overlooking the harbour of Boscastle on the NE coast of Cornwall.
The 12th c. castle of the Botreaux family was abandoned as a residence and ruinous by the 16th c. Only some grass-covered earthworks remain at the end of Jordans ridge.
Performance History
A probable performance venue. No relevant Botreaux household records survive but entertainers under Lord Botreaux's patronage appeared in Devon in the early 15th c. It is likely that they also performed at home for their patron.
Current Status
History of the Venue
12th c. Stone motte and bailey castle built by the Botreaux family.
1462 William, 3rd Baron Botreaux, killed in battle. Manor inherited by his daughter, Margaret, wife of Robert, 2nd Baron Hungerford. Castle subsequently abandoned.
Record Source
REED Devon 85--6, 90--4
Patrons who owned this venue
| Name | Date | Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Botreaux, William de | 1389-1462 | Baron Botreaux |
Bibliographic Sources
- Carew, Richard. Richard Carew of Antony: The Survey of Cornwall. London: Andrew Melrose, 1953
- Castle UK.
- Lysons, Daniel and Samuel. Magna Britannia; being a concise topographical account of the several counties of Great Britain. 6 vols. London: T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1806--22
- Mackenzie, James D. The Castles of England: Their Story and Structure. 2 vols. New York: The Macmillan Co., 1896
- Pevsner, Nikolaus. Cornwall. Harmondsworth, Midd: Penguin Books, 1970
- Salter, Mike. The Castles of Devon and Cornwall. Malvern, Worc: Folly Publications, 1999