Bourne Castle facts for kids
.jpg)
Bourne Castle was a historic castle located in the market town of Bourne, in southern Lincolnshire, England. Today, only small parts of the castle remain, but its history tells an interesting story about medieval times.
Contents
Discovering Bourne Castle
Bourne Castle was once a strong fortress in the town of Bourne. It was built a very long time ago, during the Middle Ages. Castles like this were important for protecting towns and their people.
Who Built Bourne Castle?
A Norman nobleman named Baldwin FitzGilbert built the castle. He was part of the powerful De Clare family. The Normans were people from Normandy, France, who came to England in 1066. They built many castles across the country.
What Did the Castle Look Like?
Bourne Castle was a special type of castle called a "motte and double bailey" castle.
- A motte was a large earth mound. The main tower or keep would sit on top of it.
- A bailey was a walled courtyard. Bourne Castle had two baileys, an inner and an outer one.
It also had an unusual "concentric plan." This means it had several layers of defenses, one inside the other. This design made it very hard for enemies to attack successfully. The castle also had moats, which were ditches filled with water, to keep invaders away.
What Happened to Bourne Castle?
The castle was used for many years. However, it was destroyed after 1645. This happened during a time of conflict in England. Troops led by Oliver Cromwell used the castle. After this, a farmhouse was built on the same spot.
Today, you can still see some parts of the old castle. You can find traces of the enclosed mound where the main tower stood. You can also see where the inner and outer moats once were.
Visiting Bourne Castle Today
The land where Bourne Castle once stood is now a public park. It is known as the Well Head. The park is owned by the Bourne United Charities. This means it is open for everyone to visit and enjoy. It's a great place to imagine what the castle looked like long ago.
