Knepp Castle is an 11th century earthwork motte and bailey fortress, founded by William de Braose. In 1214, King John founded the stone castle, when adding a two storey keep or hall-house to the natural low mound. Surrounded by a moat, with a counterscarp bank, the keep and a chapel were also encased by a curtain wall, flanked by a gatehouse. Sited in an important centre for hunting, it was used more as a fortified hunting lodge than a castle. Sadly in the 18th century, one corner of the keep was left to stand alone, when its stone was used in the construction of a turnpike road. 9 miles south is Bramber Castle and 13 miles south-east is Edburton Castle.