Salisbury-Old Sarum

is the ruined and deserted site of the earliest settlement of Salisbury. Situated on a hill about 3km N of modern Salisbury, the settlement appears in some of the earliest records in the country.

There are indications of prehistoric settlement that have been discovered from as early as 3000 BC. An Iron Age hillfort was erected around 400 BC. The site continued to be occupied during the Roman period. The Saxons took the British fort in the 6th century and later used it as a stronghold against marauding Vikings. The Normans constructed a motte and bailey castle, a stone curtain wall, and a great cathedral. A royal palace was built within Old Sarum Castle for King Henry I and was subsequently used by Plantagenet monarchs. The then long-neglected castle was abandoned by Edward II in 1322 and sold by Henry VIII in 1514.Read more