Hamstead Marshall Castle 3 is possibly an early 13th century earthwork motte and bailey fortress, founded by Gilbert Marshal. Built away from the high ground to the south, the oval motte is encased by a once wet ditch and to the north-west are traces of a low ring banked bailey. 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 2, which might be the predecessor 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.