Hamstead Marshall Castle 2 is a late 11th or early 12th century damaged earthwork motte and bailey fortress, possibly founded by Hugolin Stirman. Standing near the site of the original village, the motte encased by a ditch, is crowned by a heel-shaped summit and to the north is an irregular rectangular bailey platform. In 1153 during the civil war, in the reign of King Stephen, 'Newbury' castle was held for the Empress Matilda by John Marshal and this may be its site. King Stephen besieged him there for two months and erected to the east Hamstead Marshall Castle 1 as a Royalist siege-castle. Standing nearby is Hamstead Marshall Castle 3, which might be the successor or part of a conquest castle with two mottes. In 1218 King Henry III was entertained here and in the 1350s King Edward III stayed several times at the castle. 4 miles north-east is Donnington Castle.