Aldford Castle facts for kids
Aldford Castle is an old castle located in the village of Aldford in Cheshire. It's a type of castle called a motte and bailey. Today, you can still see the earthworks, which are like big mounds of earth, where the castle once stood. The main mound, called the motte, is north of St John's Church. The church itself is built where part of the castle's outer area, called the bailey, used to be.
Quick facts for kids Aldford Castle |
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| Blobb Hill | |
| Aldford, Cheshire | |
Earthworks of Aldford Castle
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 Aldford Castle
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| Coordinates | 53°07′49″N 2°52′11″W / 53.1304°N 2.8698°W |
| Type | Motte and bailey |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public |
No |
| Condition | Earthworks |
| Site history | |
| Built | 12th century |
| Built by | Richard de Aldford |
Contents
What is Aldford Castle?
Aldford Castle is a motte and bailey castle. This means it had two main parts:
- A motte: This was a large mound of earth, often man-made. The main tower or keep would sit on top of it.
- A bailey: This was a larger, enclosed area next to the motte. It was surrounded by a ditch and a wooden fence or wall. People would live and work inside the bailey.
Today, only the earthworks remain. These are the shapes in the ground that show where the castle's mounds and ditches once were.
When Was It Built?
We don't know exactly when Aldford Castle was built or who started it. Historians think it was first made of earth and wood. It might have been built by Robert de Alford in the mid-12th century. This was during the time of King Henry II.
However, some records suggest it could be even older. One early record shows that Richard de Alford owned the castle in the early 13th century. After he died in 1213, his daughter Margaret and her husband, John de Aderne, took over.
Rebuilding in Stone
Archaeological finds show that the castle was rebuilt in stone during the 13th century. It became a shell keep castle. This means the stone walls formed a ring around the top of the motte. Inside this ring, there would have been wooden buildings.
The castle was likely built to defend against Welsh tribes. These tribes were sometimes hostile to the English at the time.
What Does It Look Like Today?
Today, you can still see parts of the stonework around where the bailey used to be. The most noticeable parts are the large earthworks. The castle is about four miles from Chester. It's located where a small stream joins the River Dee.
The castle seems to have been shaped like a triangle, almost like a harp. The main tower, or keep, was in the northwestern corner of this triangle. Where the keep once stood is now a mound. Locals call this mound Blobb Hill. It overlooks the River Dee.
The site of Aldford Castle is a Scheduled Monument. This means it's an important historical site. It is protected by law so that its remains can be preserved for the future.
