Newnham Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newnham Castle |
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| Newnham, Kent, England | |
 Newnham Castle
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| Coordinates | 51°17′09″N 0°48′08″E / 51.2858°N 0.8021°E |
Newnham Castle was a castle from the Middle Ages in the village of Newnham, Kent, England. It was built a long time ago, when knights and kings ruled the land.
What Was Newnham Castle?
Newnham Castle was a type of castle called a motte-and-bailey. This design was very popular in England after the Normans arrived. It had two main parts:
- A motte was a big earth mound, like a small hill. A tower or keep would sit on top.
- A bailey was a fenced-off area at the bottom of the motte. It held buildings like stables and homes.
How Was Newnham Castle Built?
The castle was likely built by a person named Fulk de Newenham. This happened in the mid-12th century. This time was known as the Anarchy, a period of civil war in England.
The castle was placed on a scarp, which is a steep slope of land. This made it harder for enemies to attack.
The main tower, called a keep, was made of stone. It was about 6.2 meters by 6.1 meters in size. Its walls were very thick, about 1.8 meters! It also had unusual curved corners. After the stone tower was built, a large mound of earth was piled up around it. This created the motte, similar to how Farnham Castle was built.
Newnham Castle no longer stands today. Only its historical records tell us about its past.
