Brinklow Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brinklow Castle |
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| Brinklow, Warwickshire, England | |
Earthworks of Brinklow Castle
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 Brinklow Castle
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| Coordinates | 52°24′46″N 1°21′27″W / 52.4127°N 1.3575°W |
| Type | Motte and bailey |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Earthworks |
Brinklow Castle, also known as the Tump, is a medieval castle located in the village of Brinklow. This village is in the county of Warwickshire, England, found between the cities of Coventry and Rugby. Today, you can mostly see the earthworks, which are the remains of its original structure.
History of Brinklow Castle
Brinklow Castle has a very interesting past. It seems the site was first used a very long time ago, even before castles were built. It was likely a prehistoric burial mound, which is a large pile of earth and stones built over a grave. This is why the old English word "hlāw," meaning "mound" or "hill," is part of the name Brinklow.
Later, after the Normans arrived in England, the site was chosen for a castle. The first Norman lord of Brinklow was Earl Alberic. He was given these lands, but he later left England. Even though he left, the site was recorded in the Domesday Book, a famous survey of England completed in 1086. This record helps us understand who owned the land back then.
What Kind of Castle Was It?
Brinklow Castle is a type of castle called a motte and bailey castle. These castles were very common in England after the Norman Conquest. They were built quickly, usually from wood and earth.
- A motte is a large, tall mound of earth. The main tower or keep would sit on top of this mound.
- A bailey is a large, enclosed area next to the motte. It was protected by a ditch and a wooden fence or wall. This area would hold buildings like stables, workshops, and homes for soldiers and servants.
Brinklow Castle was quite large for a motte and bailey castle. Its motte stands about 12 meters (almost 40 feet) high. Imagine a four-story building! The original bailey was also very big, measuring about 121 meters (around 397 feet) wide and 152 meters (about 498 feet) long. That's bigger than a football field!
Changes Over Time
Over time, the bailey at Brinklow seems to have been made smaller. People cut a new ditch and built a rampart (a defensive wall of earth) in the middle of the original bailey. This change suggests that the castle might have become less important or less used over the years. Perhaps it was no longer needed as a strong fortress, or its owners moved on to other, more modern castles. Today, you can still see these impressive earthworks, which give us clues about its past.
