Rougemont Castle in Yorkshire was abandoned c1396 when it’s holders, the de Lisle family, took possession of Harewood and made it their primary residence. It is not to be confused with Rougemont Castle in Exeter, Devon.

Rougemont Carr, Weeton

Rougemont Carr lay in the Manor of Harewood and was, until the construction of Harewood Castle, the administrative centre of the Manor. Rougemont itself was a site of fortifications for many years. Whilst the scheduling report suggests that there may have been prehistoric use of the site, that has not yet been fully established.

A rare type of Ringwork

What we do know of Rougemont Carr is that it is quite a rare type of fortification. It is known to have been a Ringwork in the Anglo-Saxon period of English History. To this ringwork was added a Bailey following the Norman Conquest. There are fewer than 60 examples of this type of development from the Anglo-Saxon to Norman period, which makes the site at Rougemont of great historic importance.

The main fortification, or ringwork, lay atop a steep bank from the confluence of the River Wharfe and Weeton Beck. The ringwork seems to have been approximately a metre high and is roughly 3 metres wide. There is remaining evidence of stone buildings within the ringwork of various types, showing that the site was of note when it was in use.

Defences at Rougemont Carr

At the opposite side of the ringwork to the steep bank to the water can be found evidence of a bank and ditch. This gave the ringwork extra elevation and defensibilty from all sides. The ditch was some 3 metres wide and is thought to have been around a metre in depth, with the raised bank adding an extra metre.

A Bailey extended 100 metres from the ringwork and made use of a bank and ditches, with the added natural defence of the neighbouring river.

The Economy of the Manor of Harewood

The sites economic importance is clear from the various fishponds close to the fortification. These and visible remained of medieval ridge and furrow cultivation show that it was a substantial site for the time.

The changes in military technology from the Norman Conquest to 14th century were great. As were changes in preferred accomodation for the nobility and gentry. This led to the site being abandoned when the de Lisle family constructed Harewood Castle. That site, not far away, was more comfortable, able to fulfil the manorial tasks, and took into account developments in the construction of fortifications.

Rougemont Castle Links

Historic England – official listing.

Heritage Gateway – Description of the site, it’s history and a selection of sources.

Pool-in-Wharfedale History – local history groups narrative of the castles history.

Featured Image

Layout of Rougemont Castle / Carr. Artist unknown.