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The
castle dominates the surrounding landscape -
perched on top of a large, natural mound. The
Castle was the ultimate status symbol of Middle Age
wealth and power. Originally known as Dunheved. It
was an impressive and strategically important
building that controlled the river crossing in and
out of Cornwall. The castle at Dunheved was first
built as an earthwork castle, after the Norman
conquest. Located high on a grassy mound
overlooking nearby settlement of St Stephens. The
location meant that it became the administrative
headquarters for the great Earls of Cornwall -
where they could control the vast estates that they
owned throughout the area. The castle remained with
little development, apart from an inner keep added
in the 12th century. During the 13th century,
Richard, Earl of Cornwall, a younger brother of
Henry III began a transformation of the castle,
rebuilding the edifice in stone.
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