Then and Now- A motte-and-bailey castle was built by 1069, three years after the Norman conquest. Old Sarum a Norman Power Base

Old Sarum is a significant archaeological site of multiple historical periods, situated on a chalk spur facing west, above the River Avon and north of today’s Salisbury, England.

Its earliest signs of human activity trace back to the Neolithic era, around 3000 BC, with remnants of an early farming community.

Nearby lie the monumental Stonehenge and Avebury circles. Archaeological finds suggest human presence here from around 3000 BC. By 400 BC, an Iron Age hillfort emerged, overseeing crucial trade routes and the Hampshire Avon.

The Romans maintained the site, transforming paths into roads. In the 6th century, Saxons captured it, fortifying it against Viking raids. The Normans added a motte and bailey castle, a stone wall, and a grand cathedral. King Henry I established a royal palace here, frequented by Plantagenet kings.

Prehistoric

Early hunter-gatherers and later, agricultural communities, inhabited this area. Around 400 BC, during the Iron Age, locals built a protective hill fort named Sorviodunum.

They created massive banks and ditches encircling the hill to fortify it. This hillfort has an oval shape, stretching 400 meters (1,300 feet) in length and 360 meters (1,180 feet) in width.

It features a double bank and an intermediate ditch, with an entrance on the eastern side.

A reconstruction of Old Sarum in the 12th century, housed at Salisbury Cathedral

The area is rich in similar hillforts from the same period, such as Figsbury Ring to the east and Vespasian’s Camp to the north.

The archaeologist Sir R.C. Hoare described it as “a city of high note in the remotest periods by the several barrows near it, and its proximity to the two largest stone circles in England, namely, Stonehenge and Avebury.

Etymology of Old Sarum

The current name “Old Sarum” seems to have evolved from a misinterpretation of medieval Latin and Norman variations of Salisbury’s name.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, one finds names like Sarisburie, adapted from earlier Old English forms such as Searoburh, Searobyrig, and Searesbyrig. These names themselves were translations of the original Brittonic name, with suffixes like -burh and -byrig indicating fortresses or nearby settlements.

Norman Castle: After the Norman Conquest in 1066, a motte-and-bailey castle was built at Old Sarum.

The transition to “Sarum” happened due to a linguistic mix-up. Originally, the name was shortened to Sar̅, a common practice where the mark indicated the contraction of the Latin suffix -um, frequently found in place names.

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Over time, around the 13th century, this led to confusion and the emergence of “Sarum.” This name first appeared in documents like the 1239 seal of St Nicholas hospital in New Salisbury. By the 14th century, Bishop Wyvil was the first to officially use the title “episcopus Sarum” or Bishop of Sarum.

The prefix ‘old’ was later added to distinguish it from New Sarum, which remained the formal name of present-day Salisbury until 2009.

Roman Occupation of Old Sarum

Old Sarum’s history during the Roman era is a captivating segment of its long and varied past, reflecting the broader dynamics of Roman Britain.

Roman Conquest:

The Roman era at Old Sarum began with the Roman conquest of Britain, which started in AD 43 under Emperor Claudius. The area around Old Sarum was part of the territory of the Atrebates, a tribe that had connections with the Roman world even before the conquest.

Lidar screenshot of Old Sarum castle

Strategic Location:

Old Sarum, known to the Romans as Sorviodunum, was strategically located near the convergence of several key Roman roads, including those linking to the major Roman towns of Aquae Sulis (Bath), Lindinis (Ilchester), and Venta Belgarum (Winchester). This made it an important hub for transport and communication.

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Military Significance:

Initially, the Roman presence may have been primarily military. The existing Iron Age fortifications of Old Sarum could have been utilized or modified for a Roman military outpost, serving as a base for control and pacification efforts in the region.

Development of a Settlement:

Over time, a civilian settlement (vicus) likely developed around the military site. These settlements typically included homes, shops, and temples and served the needs of the soldiers as well as the local population.

Roman Infrastructure:

The Romans would have introduced their architectural and engineering expertise to the area. Features like roads, possibly some form of water supply, and buildings constructed in the Roman architectural style would have been part of the landscape.

Saxon Conquest: In the 6th century, Saxons captured the site, using it as a strategic stronghold.

Economic Activity:

The settlement at Old Sarum would have been involved in the local economy, engaging in trade and commerce facilitated by the nearby Roman roads. Agricultural activities would have been significant, with the surrounding countryside being farmed using Roman techniques.

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Cultural Influences:

The Roman era would have brought about significant cultural changes, introducing Roman customs, language (Latin), and possibly religious practices to the region.

End of Roman Rule:

The Roman period in Britain came to an end in the early 5th century, following the gradual decline of Roman influence and power.

As Roman troops were withdrawn, Old Sarum, like many other Roman sites, would have experienced a period of change, possibly leading to a decline in its status and size as administrative and military support from Rome ceased.

The Roman era at Old Sarum was a time of significant transformation, reflecting the broader impacts of Roman occupation in Britain. It set the stage for the subsequent periods of history, leaving a legacy that would be built upon by successive inhabitants of the site.

Anglo-Saxon Occupation of Old Sarum

Old Sarum’s history during the Saxon period is a fascinating chapter in the evolution of this significant site. Following the decline of Roman Britain, the area saw significant changes.

Early Saxon Period:

After the Roman withdrawal from Britain around 410 AD, the region likely experienced a power vacuum. In the ensuing centuries, Saxons, along with other Germanic tribes, began settling and exerting influence over the British Isles.

Read More: The Story of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms

Old Sarum, however, doesn’t show immediate signs of Saxon occupation, suggesting a period of abandonment or a low-density settlement.

Establishment of a Saxon Stronghold:

By the 6th century, the Saxons had firmly established themselves in the region. Old Sarum, with its pre-existing fortifications – remnants of the Iron Age hillfort and later Roman enhancements – became a strategic location.

The Saxons utilized these defenses to create a stronghold, important both for its military significance and as a center of governance.

By 1069, just three years following the Norman invasion, a motte-and-bailey castle had been established. This fortress was under the direct control of the Norman monarchs, and its overseer typically held the dual role of the sheriff of Wiltshire.

Royal Connections:

The Saxon period saw Old Sarum gain prominence as a royal center. It was often used by Saxon kings as a base for hunting in the nearby forests and as a military rallying point. This period solidified Old Sarum’s status in the regional power structure.

Defensive Role Against Vikings:

During the late 8th and 9th centuries, Britain faced incursions from Viking raiders. Old Sarum’s strategic position made it a vital defensive and administrative center in the efforts against these raids. Its fortified nature would have been a considerable asset in these tumultuous times.

Read More: Anglo-Saxon Perambulations, What are They?

Religious Development:

Alongside its military and administrative functions, Old Sarum also began to develop religious significance. This era possibly saw the establishment of a church or a minster, which would lay the groundwork for its later religious importance during the Norman period.

Transition to the Norman Period:

The Saxon era at Old Sarum gradually transitioned into the Norman period following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The Normans, recognizing the site’s strategic and symbolic importance, built a castle and a cathedral there, transforming it into a Norman stronghold and ecclesiastical center.

The Saxon period at Old Sarum, therefore, was marked by its evolution from a possibly abandoned post-Roman site to a significant military, administrative, and later, religious center, setting the stage for its prominence in the years to come.

Initially the new Cathedral thrived. It was there that the priests developed a special way of worshiping God known as the Sarum Rite. It was also at the first Cathedral that priests wrote and bound many religious books for their own use, books which still survive today.

Norman Era of Old Sarum

The history of Old Sarum during the Norman period is a significant chapter in the site’s long narrative, marked by military, architectural, and political developments.

Norman Conquest (1066):

After the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, William the Conqueror quickly recognized the strategic importance of Old Sarum. Its elevated position made it a valuable military asset in asserting Norman control over southern England.

Read More: Avebury Henge, Largest Megalithic Stone Circle in the World

Construction of the Castle (c. 1070):

Within a few years of the conquest, William ordered the construction of a motte-and-bailey castle at Old Sarum. This consisted of a wooden keep on a raised earthwork (motte) and an enclosed courtyard (bailey). This castle was part of a wider network of fortifications across England to consolidate Norman authority.

Royal Residence and Administrative Centre:

Old Sarum became a key royal and administrative center. It hosted important gatherings and was visited by several Norman kings. The castle was a symbol of Norman power and authority, used for both defense and governance.

Construction of the Cathedral (c. 1075):

By 1069, just three years following the Norman invasion, a motte-and-bailey castle had been established. This fortress was under the direct control of the Norman monarchs, and its overseer typically held the dual role of the sheriff of Wiltshire.

A cathedral was built within the castle’s confines, signifying Old Sarum’s religious as well as political importance. The first cathedral was consecrated in 1092 but damaged by a storm shortly thereafter.

Rebuilding and Expansion:

The cathedral and the castle underwent expansions and reconstructions during this period. The cathedral, in particular, was rebuilt on a grander scale, showcasing Norman architectural styles.

Seat of the Diocese:

Old Sarum was the seat of the diocese, and its bishops played crucial roles in ecclesiastical and political affairs. The cathedral was a center of religious activity, drawing pilgrims and religious officials.

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Conflict and Decline:

Despite its importance, Old Sarum’s confined space and lack of water supply led to tensions between the military and ecclesiastical authorities. Disputes between the clergy and the military garrison were common.

By the late 12th century, Canon Peter of Bloid described Old Sarum as “barren, dry, and solitary, exposed to the rage of the wind” and the cathedral “as a captive on the hill where it was built, like the ark of God shut up in the profane house of Baal.”

Relocation of the Cathedral (1220):

Model of Old Sarum in Salisbury Cathedral. Digitally modified to remove inaccurate west end towers from the model, revised damaged roof, added background.

These tensions, along with the limited space for expansion, eventually led to the decision to relocate the cathedral. In 1220, the foundation stone for a new cathedral was laid in what is now Salisbury, a few miles to the south.

Abandonment and Decline:

After the cathedral’s relocation, Old Sarum gradually declined in importance. The population moved to the new site of Salisbury, leading to the gradual abandonment of Old Sarum.

Historical Legacy:

The Norman period left a lasting architectural and historical legacy at Old Sarum, with the remains of the castle and the outlines of the cathedral still visible today. This era represents a significant phase in the transformation of Old Sarum from a prehistoric site to a medieval stronghold.

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Old Sarum from 1514 AD

The history of Old Sarum from 1514 AD onward is characterized by its gradual decline and transition from a once thriving medieval stronghold to a historical relic.

Sale by Henry VIII (1514):

The most significant event in 1514 was King Henry VIII’s sale of Old Sarum. This act was part of his wider dissolution of the monasteries and reallocation of church lands during the English Reformation. The sale marked the end of any significant royal or ecclesiastical interest in Old Sarum.

Further Decline and Neglect:

Following the sale, Old Sarum continued to decline. Without the presence of a cathedral or a royal castle, the site lost its purpose and significance. The remaining structures fell into disrepair and were largely abandoned.

Stone Removal:

In the following centuries, Old Sarum became a source of building materials. Stone from the ruins was taken for construction in the nearby city of Salisbury and elsewhere, contributing to the further dilapidation of the site.

“Rotten Borough” in Parliamentary Politics:

Despite its virtual abandonment, Old Sarum maintained an unusual political significance. It became known as a “rotten borough” in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

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These were parliamentary constituencies with very few voters, often controlled by a single patron, enabling the manipulation of parliamentary representation. Old Sarum, with almost no residents, infamously returned two Members of Parliament.

Reform Act of 1832:

The Reform Act of 1832, which aimed to rectify parliamentary representation, led to the abolition of rotten boroughs, including Old Sarum. This act marked the end of its formal political role.

Archaeological Interest and Preservation:

In the 20th century, interest in Old Sarum as an archaeological and historical site grew. Excavations and studies revealed much about its long history, from prehistoric times through to the medieval period.

Tourism and Education:

Old Sarum became a point of interest for tourists and students of history. Its significance as a site of historical convergence—featuring Iron Age, Roman, Saxon, Norman, and medieval remains—made it a valuable educational resource.

Read More: King Alfred, Fortified Wareham Against Viking Raids

Management by English Heritage:

Today, Old Sarum is managed by English Heritage. It is preserved as a historical monument, with the remains of the castle and cathedral outline visible, alongside the earthworks of the earlier Iron Age fort. Visitors can explore the site, learning about its varied history and enjoying views of the modern city of Salisbury and the surrounding landscape.

From 1514 onwards, Old Sarum’s story is one of decline, neglect, and eventual rediscovery and preservation. Its transformation from a once powerful stronghold to an educational and tourist site reflects broader changes in societal values and interests over the centuries.