{{Short description|Medieval castle in Somerset, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox Military Structure |name = Hales Castle |location = Somerset, England |coordinates = {{coord|51.1971|-2.291|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |image = 225px |caption = Earthworks of Hales Castle |map_type = Somerset |map_size = 200 |map_alt = |map_caption = Shown within Somerset |type = Motte and bailey |materials = |height = |condition = Only earthworks remain |ownership = |open_to_public = |battles = |events = }} '''Hales Castle''' was a medieval castle that once stood overlooking the town of Frome in the Mendip district of Somerset, England. It has been scheduled as an ancient monument.<ref name=nhle/>
==History== left|thumb|1911 plan of the ringwork Hales Castle was built, probably in the years immediately after the Norman conquest of England in 1066, overlooking the town of Frome in the Mendip district of Somerset, England.<ref>Prior, p.71.</ref> In addition to supporting the Norman control of the local town, it was also close to the River Frome and the Roman road running from Poole Harbour on to the town of Bath, both important lines of communication for the Normans.<ref>Prior, pp.84, 90.</ref>
The circular ringwork is {{convert|120|ft|m}} in diameter and stands on the northern slope of Roddenbury Hill, close to the Iron Age Roddenbury Hillfort. It comprises banks and outer ditches and has an unfinished bailey.<ref>{{PastScape|mname=Hales Castle|mnumber=202864|accessdate=22 July 2011}}</ref> It covers an area of {{convert|0.11|ha}} and the bank is between {{convert|0.3|m}} and {{convert|1.2|m}} high.<ref name=nhle>{{NHLE|desc=Hales Castle: a ringwork and associated earthworks on Coles Hill|num=1008805|accessdate=27 September 2016}}</ref> There may have been a drawbridge at the entrance.
==See also== *Castles in Great Britain and Ireland *List of castles in England * [http://www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/English%20sites/3268.html Gatehouse] for overhead photo and more details
==References== {{reflist}}
==Bibliography== *Prior, Stuart. (2006) ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=vuqjAAAACAAJ The Norman Art of War: a Few Well-Positioned Castles.]'' Stroud, UK: Tempus. {{ISBN|0-7524-3651-1}}.
Category:Castles in Somerset Category:Scheduled monuments in Mendip District Category:Frome