Berry Pomeroy Castle

The origins of Berry Pomeroy Castle lie in the early 12th century, when the Pomeroy family, who already owned the land during the Norman period, built the first castle. An early documented mention dates from 1496, when Elizabeth, widow of Richard Pomeroy, received one-third of the estate. The oldest surviving parts of the complex, including the gatehouse, St. Margaret's Tower, and sections of the castle wall, also date from the 15th century. In 1547, the castle changed hands when Edward Seymour, the 1st Duke of Somerset, acquired it from Thomas Pomeroy. Seymour, who owned numerous properties in the region, probably never visited Berry Pomeroy. After his execution for high treason in 1552, his lands reverted to the Crown. His son Sir Thomas Seymour regained the castle in 1558 and had the main house demolished to erect a new four-story palace within the old walls between 1560 and 1580. Around 1600, his son Edward, who received the title of Baron in 1611, extended the complex with a north wing. During the English Civil War, the 2nd Baron Edward fought on the side of the Royalists, was captured, and witnessed Berry Pomeroy Castle being raided and devastated.