Wisbech Castle Wisbech Castle Wisbech castle is believed to have been a motte-and-bailey castle earthwork castle built to fortify Wisbech, in the Fenland District of Cambridgeshire, England on the orders of William I in 1072. This was probably oval in shape and size as on the line still marked by the Crescent . The Norman castle, reputedly was destroyed during a devastating flood of 1236, the original design and layout is still unknown. It was rebuilt in stone in 1087. In the 15th century repairs were becoming too much for the ageing structure, and it was decided to create a new building,
Wisbech the setting in numerous costume dramas. In the 17th century, the inhabitants became known as the "Fen Tigers" for their resistance to the draining of the Fens, but the project turned Wisbech into a wealthy port handling agricultural produce. At the time, Wisbech was on the estuary of the River Great Ouse, but silting caused the coastline to move north, and the River Nene was diverted to serve the town. In 1797, a corps of volunteer infantry was formed. A light infantry company was added in 1807. In 1835 a copy of Col. Watson's History of Wisbech was presented to