For my latest flight, I visited for the first time The Castle & Retreat Of Trematon, a miniature Norman motte-and-bailey castle located on the Tamar Estuary, close to Saltash, Cornwall.
I must pass on my sincere thanks to Frieda & Javvy for giving me permission to film their beautiful family home and to copy some of the history, & to Kayley for arranging my visit.
The castle was constructed in 1068 by Robert, Count of Mortain, to reinforce William the Conqueror’s control following his victory at the Battle of Hastings. In 1337, the castle was granted to Edward the Black Prince (a former Prince of Wales), for whom the Grade I-listed gatehouse was built, and who, legend says, stayed there only once.
Two hundred years later came the most swashbuckling moment in the castle’s history, when Elizabeth I ordered Sir Francis Drake to stash looted treasure, a hoard of gold, silver and emeralds taken from Spanish ships while voyaging the Pacific Ocean, in Trematon Castle before it was later shipped to the Tower of London.
The castle then fell into neglect and ruin for centuries until, in 1807, the Duchy granted a 100-year lease to naval officer Benjamin Tucker, along with permission to build a house within the castle courtyard. Further changes occurred when part of the medieval castle wall was taken down to provide views from the house towards Plymouth Sound, and again in 1812, when an ornate swimming pool was carved into the lower gardens to commemorate a visit by the Prince Regent, later crowned George IV.
I hope you enjoy the views from this beautiful site. Thank you for watching.
