Oakham Castle

The Great Hall of Oakham Castle

Oakham Castle is located in Oakham, Rutland. It was constructed between 1180 and 1190, in the reign of Henry II for Walchelin de Ferriers, Lord of the Manor of Oakham. The Castle is well known for its collection of massive horseshoes and is also recognised as one of the best examples of domestic Norman architecture in England.

General Information

Horseshoes on the east wall

Artwork of Oakham Castle

Oakham Castle does not represent the traditional image of a castle due to its small size. The Great Hall is all that remains of an early medieval fortified manor house. It did, however, have many of the traditional features of a castle such as a curtain wall, a gatehouse and a drawbridge with iron chains. There is also historical and archaeological evidence to suggest that Oakham Castle possessed towers at strategic points along the walls as well as a moat.

The Great Hall comprises a nave and two arcaded aisles, each with three large stone columns. There are a number of 12th century sculptures decorating the Hall including six musicians that are supported by the columns. The sculptures are carved from local stone quarried at Clipsham and are believed to have been made by masons who had also worked at Canterbury Cathedral.

The Horseshoes

Ferrers Family Crest

There remains a unique tradition that peers of the realm should forfeit a horseshoe to the Lord of the Manor of Oakham on their first visit to the town. Two hundred and thirty horseshoes currently decorate the walls of Oakham Castle. It is thought that this tradition is linked to the ‘de Ferrers’ family name. Ferrier was the Norman French word for farrier and the horseshoe has been a symbol of the de Ferrers family since Henry de Ferrers arrived in England in 1066.

The oldest surviving horseshoe in the collection is one that was presented by Edward IV in 1470 after his victory at the Battle of Losecoat Field. The newest addition to the collection is the horseshoe presented by Princess Alexandra in 2005.

Oakham Castle is owned and managed by Rutland County Council. Admission to the castle is free. Oakham Castle is licensed for civil ceremonies.

References

• The Horseshoes of Oakham Castle, by T.H. McK Clough, Curator of Rutland County Museum
• Oakham Castle, A Guide and History, by T.H. McK Clough, Curator of Rutland County Museum

External links

• http://www.rutland.gov.uk/castle