Located in a spectacular wooded setting on the SW edge of Dartmoor with commanding views from the Norman keep over the River Okement Valley. A defensive site commanding the main road from Exeter to Launceston, the castle, built primarily of native shale, was protected by a ravine to the N, a deep ditch to the W and the river to the S.
Remains of the late Norman keep stand on a rectangular mound at the S end of the site, overlooking the bailey, which extends down a fortified ridge below toward the NE. The 14th c. buildings added by Earl Hugh de Courtenay were on a grand scale for the period, an expression of the growing prestige of Devon's pre-eminent magnate family. Favoured as a hunting lodge by the Courtenay family for several generations.
A probable performance venue. Very few Courtenay household records survive but entertainers under the family's patronage performed elsewhere in the 15th c. and 16th c. It is likely that they also performed here at one of their patrons' key residences.
A ruin under the care of English Heritage. Open to the public at specified hours.
1173 Reginald Courtenay acquired the Norman motte and bailey castle through marriage.
1274 Castle semi-derelict.
1292 Hugh de Courtenay began extensive rebuilding of domestic residential quarters within the existing fortifications.
1461 Thomas Courtenay, 14th Earl of Devon, attainted and beheaded. His brothers Henry (d 1468/9) and John, the 16th Earl (d 1471), also died as supporters of the House of Lancaster. Estates forfeited. Briefly in the possession of Sir Humphrey Stafford and then granted to Sir John Dinham and subsequently to the 3rd Duke of Clarence.
1477/8 On the attainder of Clarence, Okehampton reverted to the Crown.
1485 Restored to the Courtenays upon the creation of Edward Courtenay as 17th Earl of Devon.
1538/9 Property appropriated by the Crown after the attainder and beheading of Henry Courtenay and given to John Russell, Baron Russell. Castle abandoned.
1682 Bakehouse established in the castle precinct.
Early 18th c. Castle ruinous.
Later 19th c. Sydney Simmons bought the ruin.
1917 Simmons gave the castle to the Okehampton Castle Trust, formed to maintain the property.
1967 Okehampton placed under the guardianship of the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works.
1972--80 Excavations led by R.A. Higham.
1984 Okehampton placed under the care of English Heritage.
REED Devon 30--1, 37--8, 76, 85--6, 90--3, 125--32, 135, 194, 213--14, 220--2, 306; Dorset/Cornwall 470; Shropshire 1.196
| Name | Dates | Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Courtenay, Edward | 0-1509 | 17th Earl of , Knight , Knight of the Garter |
| Courtenay, Edward de | 1357-1419 | 4th Baron , 11th Earl of |
| Courtenay, Henry | 0-1469 | |
| Courtenay, Henry | 1498-1539 | 19th Earl of , Knight of the , 1st Marquess of |
| Courtenay, Hugh de | 1389-1422 | Knight , 5th Baron , 12th Earl of |
| Courtenay, Thomas de | 1414-1458 | 6th Baron , 13th Earl of |
