Barnwell Castle facts for kids
Barnwell Castle is a ruined castle located near the village of Barnwell, Northamptonshire in England. It is a very important historical site. English Heritage has named it a Grade I listed building, which means it's a building of special historical interest. It is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument, meaning it's protected by law because of its national importance.
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History of Barnwell Castle
The first castle built on this spot was a wooden 'motte and bailey' type, put up in 1132. This kind of castle had a mound (motte) with a tower and a fenced area (bailey).
Building the Stone Castle
Later, a much stronger stone castle was built. This happened during the time when King Henry III was ruling England. The Le Moyne family started this big building project.
The Castle in the Civil War
During the English Civil War, Barnwell Castle played a small part. Its owner, Sir Edward Montagu, used the castle as a place to store weapons. These weapons were for the Royalist side, who supported the King. After the war ended, the Montagu family built a large house called Barnwell Manor very close to the castle.
What Barnwell Castle Looks Like Today
Even though it's a ruin, many parts of Barnwell Castle are still standing. The castle has a square shape. At its northeast, northwest, and southwest corners, you can see tall, round towers.
Main Entrance
On the southeast corner, there is a special gatehouse with two towers. This would have been the main entrance to the castle. The walls of the castle are very impressive. They are up to 9 meters (30 feet) high and more than 3.6 meters (12 feet) thick!
