Plympton in the Olden Time, by James Hine, F.R.I. B. A. 85 
Plympton Castle was the chief residence of the Earls of Devon 
and Lords of Plympton. King Henry, the youngest son of the 
Conqueror, in the first year of his reign, granted the Lordship to 
Richard de Redvers or Rivers and his posterity, to enjoy also the 
title and possessions belonging to the Devonshire Earldom. The 
said Richard was one of William the Conqueror's generals in the 
battle of Hastings, and obtained the barony of Okehampton from 
William Rufus. He was one of the chief councillors of Henry 
the First, and was so highly esteemed by him that he was created 
first Earl of Devon since the Conquest. The castle stood on the 
north side of the town, occupying a space of about two acres, 
extending 700 feet from east to west, including the ditch, and 400 
feet from north to south. Leland says of this structure, in his 
Itinerary, " On the side of the town is a fair large castelle and 
dungeon in it, whereof the walls yet stand, though the lodgings be 
clean decayed." At present there only remains a portion of the 
■circular keep or tower, 50 feet in diameter, on a mound about 
60 feet high. The ruined walls average 14 feet in height 
and are 9 feet thick, grouted with mo'rtar or concrete as hard 
as the stones themselves. Around the keep in the thickness 
of the wall is a plastered flue 15 in. by 10 in., the purpose 
of which is not obvious. It has been suggested that it was 
designed for the conveyance of sound. It seems more probable 
that it was for ventilation. There is a similar flue at Rochester 
Castle. The habitable portions of Plympton Castle must have 
been of considerable extent. These, including the state apart- 
ments, and lodgings (as Leland calls them) for the military and 
retainers, were within the outer castle walls, and built around a 
spacious basse-court. The ballium wall — embattled and flanked 
with towers — was raised on a platform about 30 feet above the 
fosse or ditch, in the position now indicated by a modern path, 
and by a belt of trees planted about 100 years ago. The basse- 
court has long been a quiet village green, and the site of the 
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