Sauvey Castle

Said to have stood between Withcote & Laund 

Extract from The History and Antiquities of the County of Leicester by John Nichols 1795

Not mentioned by Mr. Burton, stood upon the borders of Rutland, near unto the priory of Laund ; and was built by the Bassets, who were also founders and patrons of that priory 1. It appears also from Dugdale, that it stood neary Ouston Abbey 2, in the confines of Leicestershire 3, in the part towards Rutland 4, in the Eastern nook of this county 5.
In 1215, William de Huntingfield was constituted governor of Sauvey castle 6 ; but, taking part with the rebellious, was the same year displaced, and Hugh de Nevill appointed governor in his room 7.
In 1216, William de Fortibu II, earl of Albermarle, was made governor of Sauvey castle 8.
Upon the death of king John, standing firm to king Henry III. the said William had the custody of Sauvey castle continued to him by that prince 9. In 1216, he was one of those great men, who, on the king's behalf, laid seige to the castle of Mountsorrel, then held on behalf of the rebellious barons by Henry de Braiboc. So likewise at the raising of the seige of Lincoln castle, by the overthrow of their whole army, was one of the chief commanders on the king's part. But, having by this course of life got much plunder, he could not refrain from that ravening practice ; which being discovered by the king, he took the custody of Sauvey castle away from him ; whereupon, he flew out into open rebellion 10.
In 1217, Fouke de Breant was constituted governor of Sauvey and Rockingham castles 11.
In 1219, Stephen de Segrave was made governor of Sauvey castle 12.
In 1225, Hugh de Nevill was again constituted governor 13.
In 1247, Philip Marmiom was made governor 14.
In 1252, Reginald de Mohun the second was made governor 15.
In 1260, John de Placitius, earl of Warwick, had shrievalty of Warwick and Leicester, with the castle of Sauvey, committed to his trust 16.
From all which it appears, that in the baron's wars Sauvey castle was reckoned a fort of great trust and importance. Soon after which wars, the said castle, it may be presumed, was demolished.
Its ruins were scarcely visible in 1622 17 ; and it is more than 100 years since an able antiquary observed that not a trace of it then remained 18.

1 MS. Chetwynd. 2 Dugdale, Baron. I. 64. 2.
6 Id. II. 7. a.; from Pat. 17 John, m. 8.
8 Id. I. 64. a.; from Matthew Paris, 276. n. 30, and 40
10 Matth. Paris, 193. 295, 296. 300. 310.
12 Id. 671. b.; from Pat. 4. Hen. III. m.4
14 Id. 376. b.; from Pat. 33. Hen. III. m.4
16 Id. 773. b.; from Pat. 45. Hen. III. m.8

3 Id. 773. b. 4 Id. 671. b. 5 Id. 376. b.
7 Id. I. 289. b.; from Pat. 17. John. m.15.
9 Id. ib.; from Pat. 1. Hen. III. m.17
11 Bar. I. 744. a.; from Pat. 2. Hen. III. m.7
13 Id. 288. b.; from Pat. 10. Hen. III. m.2
15 Id. 497. b.; from Pat. 37. Hen. III. m.23
17 MS. Chetwynd.

18 "Nots, quod vetus castellum de Calcete vel Causey [Sauvey] hic situm suit, cujus jam periêre etiam ruine." Roper. MS.

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