Donnington Castle | |
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Near Donnington, Berkshire in England | |
![]() Ruins of Donnington Castle | |
Coordinates | 51°25′10″N 001°20′15″W / 51.41944°N 1.33750°W grid reference SU46106914 |
Site information | |
Owner | English Heritage |
Open to the public | Yes |
Condition | Ruins |
Site history | |
Built | 1386 |
Built by | Sir Richard Abberbury the Elder |
In use | 1386-1646 |
Designations | Scheduled Ancient Monument no. 1007926[1] |
Donnington Castle[2] is a ruined medieval castle, situated in the small village of Donnington, just north of the town of Newbury in the English county of Berkshire. It was founded by Sir Richard Abberbury the Elder in 1386 and was bought by Thomas Chaucer before the castle was taken under royal control during the Tudor period. During the First English Civil War the castle was held by the royalist Sir John Boys and withstood an 18-month siege; after the garrison eventually surrendered, Parliament voted to demolish Donnington Castle in 1646. Only the gatehouse survives. The site is a scheduled monument under the care of English Heritage.