 The castle was built early in the 13th century by William Brewer, like several other castle-builders of the period, an exceptionally wealthy man.He was granted the lordship of the Manor of Bridgwater by King John in 1201, and founded Bridgwater Friary.Before the building of the castle, Bridgwater was much smaller, but after the granting a licence to crenellate by King John, in 1200, charters for the creation of a borough and a market rapidly followed, effectively creating the heart of a new town.