84 Plympton in the Olden Time, by James Hine, F.R.I.B.A. 
whereas its features, as any tyro will now see, are undoubted 
Norman ; in fact, there are no remains of Saxon architecture in 
Cornwall, and it would be surprising if there were, seeing that the 
Saxons never had any permanent hold on this part of Britain ; 
for, though Egbert is said to have reduced the Cornish Britons to 
"nominal subjection" about the year 810, we find that Athelstan 
as late as 936 was in conflict with the British forces and drove 
them across the Tamar, and not until that year had Exeter been 
subjected to his government. 
Restormel Castle is undoubtedly of Norman construction, and 
it is probable that the most ancient portions of Launceston Castle 
are nearly two centuries later than the date ascribed by Borlase. 
Although, therefore, from the naturally strong position of all 
these castles, it is probable that the Britons occupied these positions 
for defence, no visible remains can be considered as anterior to the 
Norman Conquest. In the absence of any architectural details at 
Plympton Castle, — the masonry in the walls being somewhat 
analagous to the British masonry found in different parts of 
Cornwall, — there may be more room for doubt and conjecture here 
than in respect to the other castles ; yet the rudeness of the 
masonry may be accounted for by supposing that only the vassal 
inhabitants of the neighbourhood were employed in the works, 
UDder Norman architects and overseers. 
The vestiges of Norman rule are clearly traceable in the county 
and borders of Devon. The same independent character which 
Exeter maintained against the Saxon authority, that city en- 
deavoured to assert against the Conqueror ; and the obedience of 
the western capital required to be insured by a number of castles, 
of a date not long subsequent to the Conquest. The castles of 
Barnstaple, Exeter, Totnes, Plympton, and Trematon guarded the 
rivers which gave access to the interior of the county ; and the 
fortresses of Okehampton, Launceston, Lidford, Berry, and Tiver- 
ton, the inland passes. Of the castles enumerated here, Berry at 
least has been entirely rebuilt at a later period. 
