The Castle Studies Trust
@castlestudies.bsky.social
The Castle Studies Trust is a UK based charity founded in July 2012 with the aim of increasing knowledge of castles in the UK and abroad.
Pinned
Following the Trust receiving 21 applications asking for £170,000, will you help us fund major new castle research projects in 2026? Since 2013, we have made a major contribution to boosting the understanding & preservation of castles. To help please donate here: donate.kindlink.com/castle-studi...
Duncan Wright took less than 5k worth of CST grants and turned that in to a successful 200k application to the AHRC. To find out more, see below...
Between 2018-21 we awarded Duncan Wright of @newcastleuni.bsky.social 3 grants totalling less than 5k, to explore Laughton en le Morthen castle. This led to an AHRC grant to investigate the transition of power btwn Saxons & Normans. This is what they found: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/02...
February 2, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Duncan Wright took less than 5k worth of CST grants and turned that in to a successful 200k application to the AHRC. To find out more, see below...
Between 2018-21 we awarded Duncan Wright of @newcastleuni.bsky.social 3 grants totalling less than 5k, to explore Laughton en le Morthen castle. This led to an AHRC grant to investigate the transition of power btwn Saxons & Normans. This is what they found: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/02...
February 1, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Between 2018-21 we awarded Duncan Wright of @newcastleuni.bsky.social 3 grants totalling less than 5k, to explore Laughton en le Morthen castle. This led to an AHRC grant to investigate the transition of power btwn Saxons & Normans. This is what they found: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/02...
Reposted by The Castle Studies Trust
Occurs to me now that the outer surface of the door has graffiti (arrowheads) v similar to another door from this space, on display. That door is v likely 15th c in date. This door has iron strips overlying the graffiti, and the strips align w the hasps and jamb-set loops. Good phasing here.
A strapping iron-strapped door from Carlisle Castle’s keep for #ADoorAbleThursday. 2-skin post-med interloper, from what has been called a ‘Prison’ (probs not in medieval era).
Inner face has poss stock lock (replaced), outer face had 4 loops fitted w hasps secured to jamb-set loops & locks. Oh my!
Inner face has poss stock lock (replaced), outer face had 4 loops fitted w hasps secured to jamb-set loops & locks. Oh my!
January 29, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Occurs to me now that the outer surface of the door has graffiti (arrowheads) v similar to another door from this space, on display. That door is v likely 15th c in date. This door has iron strips overlying the graffiti, and the strips align w the hasps and jamb-set loops. Good phasing here.
Reposted by The Castle Studies Trust
Visiting Higham Ferrers there's no sign that it was the site of a royal castle. The reason we know there was one is written sources. In 2024 we funded Steve Parry & MoLA to carry out the 1st geophysical survey of the castle to see what survived. They found:
castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/01...
castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/01...
January 18, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Visiting Higham Ferrers there's no sign that it was the site of a royal castle. The reason we know there was one is written sources. In 2024 we funded Steve Parry & MoLA to carry out the 1st geophysical survey of the castle to see what survived. They found:
castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/01...
castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/01...
Visiting Higham Ferrers there's no sign that it was the site of a royal castle. The reason we know there was one is written sources. In 2024 we funded Steve Parry & MoLA to carry out the 1st geophysical survey of the castle to see what survived. They found:
castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/01...
castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/01...
January 18, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Visiting Higham Ferrers there's no sign that it was the site of a royal castle. The reason we know there was one is written sources. In 2024 we funded Steve Parry & MoLA to carry out the 1st geophysical survey of the castle to see what survived. They found:
castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/01...
castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/01...
In our first blog post of the year we head to warmer climbs, notably Alicante Spain where Juan Antonio Mira Rico, co-editor of a new book on the castles and towers of Alicante looks at how to resurrect interest and use of once much neglected buildings. castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/01...
January 6, 2026 at 8:26 PM
In our first blog post of the year we head to warmer climbs, notably Alicante Spain where Juan Antonio Mira Rico, co-editor of a new book on the castles and towers of Alicante looks at how to resurrect interest and use of once much neglected buildings. castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/01...
Between 2018-21 we awarded Duncan Wright 3 grants to research Laughton castle which developed the proof of concept for an AHRC grant. Now it's up for a Current Archaeology awards under From Bayeux to Bosham. The winner is decided by public vote so vote for this great project: archaeology.co.uk/vote
December 21, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Between 2018-21 we awarded Duncan Wright 3 grants to research Laughton castle which developed the proof of concept for an AHRC grant. Now it's up for a Current Archaeology awards under From Bayeux to Bosham. The winner is decided by public vote so vote for this great project: archaeology.co.uk/vote
Reposted by The Castle Studies Trust
In a nice end to the year, I can draw your attention to this short (ish) report on the
earthwork survey of Cockroad Wood Castle in Somerset which I led this year. A fascinating, if slightly enigmatic site. historicengland.org.uk/research/res...
. One for @castlestudies.bsky.social
earthwork survey of Cockroad Wood Castle in Somerset which I led this year. A fascinating, if slightly enigmatic site. historicengland.org.uk/research/res...
. One for @castlestudies.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 10:36 AM
In a nice end to the year, I can draw your attention to this short (ish) report on the
earthwork survey of Cockroad Wood Castle in Somerset which I led this year. A fascinating, if slightly enigmatic site. historicengland.org.uk/research/res...
. One for @castlestudies.bsky.social
earthwork survey of Cockroad Wood Castle in Somerset which I led this year. A fascinating, if slightly enigmatic site. historicengland.org.uk/research/res...
. One for @castlestudies.bsky.social
Following the Trust receiving 21 applications asking for £170,000, will you help us fund major new castle research projects in 2026? Since 2013, we have made a major contribution to boosting the understanding & preservation of castles. To help please donate here: donate.kindlink.com/castle-studi...
December 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Following the Trust receiving 21 applications asking for £170,000, will you help us fund major new castle research projects in 2026? Since 2013, we have made a major contribution to boosting the understanding & preservation of castles. To help please donate here: donate.kindlink.com/castle-studi...
Originally it was thought that there was not much information on Dover in the folios. This has proved to be false and has given a lot of very useful information on the castle in what when we had previously known little. To find out see: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/12...
December 8, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Originally it was thought that there was not much information on Dover in the folios. This has proved to be false and has given a lot of very useful information on the castle in what when we had previously known little. To find out see: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/12...
Reposted by The Castle Studies Trust
The remains of Gresham castle photographed with a regular camera and how it looks with a LiDar drone camera.
December 7, 2025 at 7:58 PM
The remains of Gresham castle photographed with a regular camera and how it looks with a LiDar drone camera.
With the transcribing and translating of the survey of southern England fortifications finished Drs Paul Pattison and Esther van Raamsdonk are interpreting the text. They reveal that there's far more there than thought, especially on Dover. To learn more: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/12...
December 7, 2025 at 5:31 PM
With the transcribing and translating of the survey of southern England fortifications finished Drs Paul Pattison and Esther van Raamsdonk are interpreting the text. They reveal that there's far more there than thought, especially on Dover. To learn more: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/12...
Of the 21 applications we have received, we had 13 from England, 4 from Scotland and two each from Wales and Ireland. They are for a wide range of sites and are wanting to do a variety of things including excavations and our first ever under water geophys one. Read more on the link below.
On Monday, the deadline for applications passed for our 13th round of grants. We received 21 applications (most since our first year) asking for a record amount of over £170,000. To find out what applications we received you can read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/12...
A large and varied crop of fascinating applications asking for a record amount of over £170,000 for the Castle Studies Trust to consider – Castle Studies Trust Blog
castlestudiestrust.org
December 4, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Of the 21 applications we have received, we had 13 from England, 4 from Scotland and two each from Wales and Ireland. They are for a wide range of sites and are wanting to do a variety of things including excavations and our first ever under water geophys one. Read more on the link below.
On Monday, the deadline for applications passed for our 13th round of grants. We received 21 applications (most since our first year) asking for a record amount of over £170,000. To find out what applications we received you can read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/12...
A large and varied crop of fascinating applications asking for a record amount of over £170,000 for the Castle Studies Trust to consider – Castle Studies Trust Blog
castlestudiestrust.org
December 3, 2025 at 8:55 PM
On Monday, the deadline for applications passed for our 13th round of grants. We received 21 applications (most since our first year) asking for a record amount of over £170,000. To find out what applications we received you can read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/12...
Reposted by The Castle Studies Trust
The Courtauld is offering a a new fully funded Peter Fergusson PhD Scholarship in English Medieval Architecture for eligible projects focusing on England from the eleventh to the early sixteenth centuries. Statement of intents are due by 17 November 2025.
Peter Fergusson PhD Scholarship in English Medieval Architecture, Courtauld, statement of intent deadline 17 November 2025
The Courtauld is offering a a new fully funded Peter Fergusson PhD Scholarship in English Medieval Architecture for eligible projects focusing on England from the eleventh to the early sixteenth centuries. Statement of intents are due by 17 November 2025.
medievalartresearch.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:16 PM
The Courtauld is offering a a new fully funded Peter Fergusson PhD Scholarship in English Medieval Architecture for eligible projects focusing on England from the eleventh to the early sixteenth centuries. Statement of intents are due by 17 November 2025.
Reposted by The Castle Studies Trust
Christian Clarkson of Simpson Brown look at the work they carried out at the iconic castle of Carrickfergus. Done as part of a City Deal, their work shows that we can still learn more from even the most extensively studied castle. To find out more read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/11...
November 9, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Christian Clarkson of Simpson Brown look at the work they carried out at the iconic castle of Carrickfergus. Done as part of a City Deal, their work shows that we can still learn more from even the most extensively studied castle. To find out more read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/11...
Christian Clarkson of Simpson Brown look at the work they carried out at the iconic castle of Carrickfergus. Done as part of a City Deal, their work shows that we can still learn more from even the most extensively studied castle. To find out more read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/11...
November 9, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Christian Clarkson of Simpson Brown look at the work they carried out at the iconic castle of Carrickfergus. Done as part of a City Deal, their work shows that we can still learn more from even the most extensively studied castle. To find out more read here: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/11...
Closing date for applications to the CST, is now exactly 4 weeks away on Monday 1 December
We are now open to receive grant applications. Closing date is 3 months today, 1 December. Remember to send 2 completed references and when writing it think what questions you are trying to answer and whether methods proposed will help do that.
The CST is delighted to announce that for our next round of grants, which will open in September, we will be increasing the maximum grant award by 40% to £14,000. Applications open on 1 Sept & closes on 1 Dec 2025. For more info you can go here: castlestudiestrust.org/Grants.html
November 3, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Closing date for applications to the CST, is now exactly 4 weeks away on Monday 1 December
@katiemcgown.bsky.social gives an update on how Visualisation of Canterbury Castle project we funded has progressed and looking at how visiting other similar sites can help with the visualisation of a very ruined structure: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/10...
October 28, 2025 at 8:02 PM
@katiemcgown.bsky.social gives an update on how Visualisation of Canterbury Castle project we funded has progressed and looking at how visiting other similar sites can help with the visualisation of a very ruined structure: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/10...
David's experience at Finlaggan shows the importance of the multi-disciplinary research on castles especially when written sources are so sparse. Find out how the excavation of Finlaggan transformed our understanding of it and history of the area.
"There's no castle here" however Finlaggan's dig director David Caldwell thought before he led a multi year excavation there. Find out how he changed his mind with a castle not thought to exist including when and by whom it was built by: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/10...
October 16, 2025 at 8:55 AM
David's experience at Finlaggan shows the importance of the multi-disciplinary research on castles especially when written sources are so sparse. Find out how the excavation of Finlaggan transformed our understanding of it and history of the area.
"There's no castle here" however Finlaggan's dig director David Caldwell thought before he led a multi year excavation there. Find out how he changed his mind with a castle not thought to exist including when and by whom it was built by: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/10...
October 15, 2025 at 7:12 PM
"There's no castle here" however Finlaggan's dig director David Caldwell thought before he led a multi year excavation there. Find out how he changed his mind with a castle not thought to exist including when and by whom it was built by: castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2025/10...
Reposted by The Castle Studies Trust
Just back from a really fascinating afternoon looking at the preliminary results of the Crookston Castle geophysical survey explained by Nick Hannon of HES and they are as positive as the turn for the fun day with lots of intriguing anomalies both inside and outside the fenced castle area.
October 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Just back from a really fascinating afternoon looking at the preliminary results of the Crookston Castle geophysical survey explained by Nick Hannon of HES and they are as positive as the turn for the fun day with lots of intriguing anomalies both inside and outside the fenced castle area.
Just back from a really fascinating afternoon looking at the preliminary results of the Crookston Castle geophysical survey explained by Nick Hannon of HES and they are as positive as the turn for the fun day with lots of intriguing anomalies both inside and outside the fenced castle area.
October 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Just back from a really fascinating afternoon looking at the preliminary results of the Crookston Castle geophysical survey explained by Nick Hannon of HES and they are as positive as the turn for the fun day with lots of intriguing anomalies both inside and outside the fenced castle area.
Reposted by The Castle Studies Trust
Reposted by The Castle Studies Trust