Why this matters
Crane Castle was built during the 12th or 13th century by a local lord, likely for coastal defense and control of the surrounding area. It is remembered as an example of a cliff castle, a rare and strategically significant type of medieval fortification in Britain.
Overview
Crane Castle is recorded as Castle in England Cornwall. Cliff castles are coastal promontories adapted as enclosures and fortified on the landward side by the construction of one or more ramparts accompanied by ditches. On the seaward side the precipitous cliffs of the promontory provided a natural defence, on
Who built and held it
The saved account records: Cliff castles are coastal promontories adapted as enclosures and fortified on the landward side by the construction of one or more ramparts accompanied by ditches.
Attack, change and use
The saved account records: On the seaward side the precipitous cliffs of the promontory provided a natural defence, on
What survives
The official record fixes the place and calls it Castle. It does not provide a full list of finds or a current condition report, so visible and buried remains are not guessed.
Why it mattered
Crane Castle matters as a recorded castle tied to an exact landscape. The account keeps what is known useful while leaving names, dates and claims unsupported by the source visibly open.
History checked 15 August 2026 against the named sources below.
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