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The
first record of the Compton lands in Devon is a deed dated
1138-1155. After seven generations of de Comptons, these
lands passed to the Gilbert Family by the marriage of Joan
de Compton to Geoffrey Gilbert around 1329. Compton Castle
has remained in the Gilbert family (with only a single break),
for 600 years.
Compton
Castle was initially built as a residence. After William
the Conqueror became King of England, English Kings ruled
much of what is now France until the 1400's. When these
territories were lost to France, the south coast of England
was open to attack. In 1520, the manor house was converted
to a castle by adding fortified towers, the great curtain
wall and two portcullis entrances meant to withstand small-scale
attacks...
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