Guildford Castle is an mid to late 11th century earthwork motte and bailey fortress, founded by William the Conqueror. In the early 12th century, King Henry I founded the stone castle when adding a polygonal shell keep to the motte. In the 1130s, a two storey square keep, was built on the slope of the motte, flanking the shell keep and an outer bailey added, encased by a ditch. In the 13th century, King Henry III ordered many improvements to the domestic buildings and the outer bailey was extend, flanked by a new gatehouse. In the 14th century, the royal residence in the outer bailey, known as The Palace and was detached from the castle by a palisade and ditch. By 1379, the castle had fallen into disrepair, except for the king's great chamber and the great tower, which continued to be the county gaol. 9 miles south-east is Abinger Motte and 11 miles west is Farnham Castle