Barnstaple Castle Barnstaple Castle Barnstaple Castle stood near what is now the centre of the town of Barnstaple, Devon (). When it was built, it was on the western side of the fortified town and commanded a good view of both the town and its important river crossings. A wooden castle was built by Geoffrey de Mowbray, Bishop of Coutances in the 11th century, clearing houses to make room for it. Juhel of Totnes (Judhael) later lived in the castle and established a priory just outside its walls. The castle's first stone buildings were probably erected by Henry de Tracey, a strong
Recorder of Barnstaple had previously begotten in his mind. On Friday evening he wrote a letter to a gentleman, which bore strong indications of great mental agitation. In this perturbed state he retired to his room on the evening of Friday. In the morning (...) was heard from the dressing room, which induced Mrs. Stevens to hasten thither; and, on entering she caught her husband in her arms, deluged in blood flowing in torrents from a wound inflicted in his throat, which caused his death within a very short period"." Recorder of Barnstaple The Recorder of Barnstaple was a recorder, a form of