Qualla: Eynsford Castle

Eynsford Castle: Introduction

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Photo credit Poliphilo, CC0. Eynsford Castle is a study in two awkward neighbours. Built between 1085 and 1087 by William de Eynsford, it stood on a strategic crossing of the River Darent in Kent - and it was built specifically to defend the lands of Lanfranc, the Archbishop of Canterbury, from Odo, the Bishop of Bayeux and Earl of Kent, whose territory bordered Lanfranc's and whose ambitions seemed unlimited. The castle was finally abandoned in 1312 after a different feud entirely, when one co-owner attacked the property of another, broke down the doors, ransacked it, and let the livestock loose. It has stood in pleasant ruination ever since.

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Image: Poliphilo | CC0

Eynsford Castle: Before the Castle

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Photo credit S. E. Rigold, Ministry of Works; cleaned up, modified and labelled by hchc2009, Public domain. Eynsford was a strategic point long before the Normans arrived. The manor lay on a crossing of the River Darent, and in 970 it was acquired by Christ Church, Canterbury. In the early 11th century a stone building was raised on an artificial terrace - it's possible there were earl...

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Image: S. E. Rigold, Ministry of Works; cleaned up, modified and labelled by hchc2009 | Public domain

Eynsford Castle: Seven Williams

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Photo credit Marathon, CC BY-SA 2.0. William de Eynsford's family held the castle on behalf of the archbishop until 1261 - through six descendants, all named William and conveniently distinguished by historians as William de Eynsford II through to VII. Around 1130 a new hall was built, replacing the older Anglo-Saxo...

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Image: Marathon | CC BY-SA 2.0

Eynsford Castle: Inge vs de Criol, 1312

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Photo credit D Windsor, CC BY-SA 2.0. In 1307, Ralph de Sandwich sold his half of the castle to another royal judge, William Inge. Inge then tried to exercise his rights, which brought him into conflict with Nicholas's grandson and heir - also named Nicholas de Criol. The dispute escalated, and in 1312 Inge brought a...

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Image: D Windsor | CC BY-SA 2.0

Eynsford Castle: Recovery

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Photo credit CC BY-SA 3.0. In 1835 the castle ceased to be used as kennels and the architect Edward Cresy was employed to remove the more recent modifications and survey the medieval structure. Cresy removed up to 9 feet of accumulated debris - centuries of kennel dirt, stable straw, and falling stone. The...

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Image: CC BY-SA 3.0