The Calne Blue Plaque Trail is a fascinating walk around the centre of the town in the Heritage Quarter visiting ten points of interest, which act as a reminder of the town’s past, including the site of the Harris bacon factory, the wool trade workshop, the wharf (end of the canal) and Castle House.
High above you are the towers, topped by flags. The walls, thick, strong, impenetrable surround a courtyard that is a hive of activity, in one corner fires bake bread, in another hotter fires temper the metal of horseshoes. Looking down on it all the Great Keep stands as a symbol of power and dominance, an imposing fortress of a Lord who wants all about him to know who is in charge. The Castle at Calne.
But there was no such building here. There were no fairy-tale turrets and battlements. No cold, murky moat crossed by a drawbridge. The quote written on this plaque, “Here was anciently a castle..” is from the writings of the famous 17th Century antiquarian John Aubrey and it is part of one of Calne’s longest standing mysteries.
This ground above the River Marden is known as Castle Hill, the road you stand on Castle Street, the park beyond Castlefields Park, the town coat of arms has a castle at its centre and the house which this plaque marks, is Castle House. Originally built in the 17th century, the block of flats that replaced much of it are from the 1970s. But where was the castle? Where are the remains of walls and fortifications?
It is known that Calne was the site of a Saxon royal Villa, and after 1066 the great forest that covered much of this part of the country was a royal hunting ground and there is evidence the daughter of Henry I, the Empress Matilda stayed in a castle here in the early 12th century. Castle Hill hints at human working and shaping. In 2010 a clearer answer formed when archaeologists turned radar on the ground revealing ditches and hints of structures and this was confirmed when the diggers moved in.
The Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society recovered over 10,000 finds including ancient worked flints, artefacts from Iron age, Roman pottery, Roman walls and a well showing that this site has been occupied for thousands of years. But the biggest find was the remains of a probable fortified manor house, the site of which can be seen in Castlefields park. This was no castle in the traditional sense, more a strong house with a tower, 40 feet high, topped by crenelation - a feature that could only be granted by the monarch. Built around the 13th century, this is not the castle of Matilda's stay, that is shrouded in a fog of mystery. Older ditches lay under the hill. In two weeks of digging the archaeologists only scratched the surface of what lies beneath the ground here. So, who knows what else remains to be found of a castle that was here anciently...
Written and read by Hannah
I step across the dark-wooden floor slowly as to not disturb them until I approach the end of the first corridor, which is pitch-black aside from my dull candle flame. As I walk, it dances in front of me, I watch it carefully for abnormalities to alert me of them. I need to move quickly but I cannot make any noise or sudden movements unless I want to lose my head to them. This whole castle is twists and turns and doors that lead to seemingly nowhere, all of which is an opportunity to get lost.
I cannot get lost.
Eventually, I approach the staircase. Above, is the roof which is crenellated and I can hear the tapping of slow, heavy rain onto the staircase below. Every step I stood upon was drenched, then slippery from the cold so I stood on the outside edge of the spiral in order to give me the most possible room to balance on. The moment I slip or skid even a little, I alert them, losing my chance and ever getting out of this place with a heart that beats.
Miraculously I reach the bottom unharmed and my escape is in sight. The temptation to make a run for it is overwhelming, but I cannot give in. I turn my attention to my candle once again and begin slowly stepping to the exit. That was when I heard it. CREAK! Went the floorboard beneath me, then all of a sudden, my candle went out. There was no wind. They had awoken.
I had no time to waste; I had to run. I sprint despite the ache in my feet from walking on my tip-toes as I feel the build-up of presence behind me. There’s no way to explain the feeling, but they are following me and trying to keep me encaged in this castle. I reach the door and dive forward into the mud. Dousing myself in it, I scramble away desperately. When I have gone a few metres, I turn.
There is nothing before me but trees and fields. There is no castle. Not anymore. Not ever again. I was safe.
Written and read by Milly
This is all I've known. My whole life in the service of the family. It was a grand castle filled with luxurious furniture and intricate paintings. But just a tiny room underneath the lovely castle, where it was slightly dark and dingy. That was where we live and always have.
I have a big family with three brothers and seven sisters, but at least they are all working with me, in the same castle, every day.
I had no choice whether I wanted to flee the castle or not as my family always had even though I knew I couldn't. I wanted to be free from the castle and feel the outside world again. I don't think I can ever remember the feeling of the wind run across my face or the sun beaming at me as I finally felt fresh air. I was only thirteen.
The castle was owned by the powerful king and his precious daughter, Lilly. Lilly was beautiful with dark brown hair, kind of like mine, gorgeous brown eyes and wore an extravagant dress. She opened the door gracefully and skipped out in her navy blue diamond dress.
My head was streaming with thought as she accidentally left the door open. I could seize my chance or spend my life as it is now, poorly dressed and depressed.
I quickly ran. I was free! I felt the wind penetrating against my face. It was amazing.
I edged my foot closer to the outside world, until I saw something in the distance. A tall, mysterious figure. It moved closer towards me. I felt scared, thinking whether I should turn back. But no. I've come this far.
I tip-toed closer towards the trees that towered over me. But every step I took I was more alone. Suddenly, my thought kept up with me and I peered to see the figure right behind me. My worthless life I now longed.
I ran. It was a split-second choice as I didn't know what to do. My heart was pounding like a drum. My leg's hurting already as I've never run like this before. I knew I made a mistake.
I stopped, taking deep breaths of cool air. But before I could turn around to check again, everything went dark.
It took me a few minutes before my eyes slowly adjusted to the birds chirping and the gentle breeze. But where I was I only sounded beautiful first. Once my eyes fully adjusted, I saw darkness. Until voices spoke,
"What should we do? Will the King look for her?" said a woman who kind of looked like me.
I quickly spoke,
"What happened?"
They looked at me in complete sadness,
"You're home and too important to lose again!"
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