Cainhoe Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cainhoe Castle |
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| Clophill, Bedfordshire, England | |
Earthworks of Cainhoe Castle
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 Cainhoe Castle
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| Coordinates | 52°01′27″N 0°24′09″W / 52.0242°N 0.4026°W |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Earthworks |
Cainhoe Castle was an old castle built by the Normans in the 11th century. It was located near the village of Clophill in Bedfordshire, England. Today, you can only see the earthworks of the castle. These are the big mounds and ditches left in the ground where the castle once stood.
Contents
What Kind of Castle Was It?
Cainhoe Castle was a special type of castle called a motte-and-bailey castle. This design was very popular after the Normans arrived in England.
Motte and Bailey Explained
- A motte was a large, tall mound of earth. A wooden or stone tower would usually sit on top of this mound.
- A bailey was a large, enclosed area next to the motte. It was surrounded by a strong fence or wall and a ditch. This area held buildings like homes, stables, and workshops.
Cainhoe Castle was even more special because it had a triple bailey. This means it had three separate bailey areas, making it a very large and strong fortress for its time.
Who Built Cainhoe Castle?
A Norman knight named Nigel d'Aubigny built Cainhoe Castle. He built it sometime after the Norman Invasion of England in 1066. The castle was not mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Domesday Book was a huge survey ordered by King William the Conqueror to record all the land and property in England.
The d'Aubigny Family
The d'Aubigny family owned Cainhoe Castle for a long time. They used it as their main home and a center for their lands. This family was also known for being involved in the crusades. The crusades were a series of religious wars fought in the Middle East.
The castle stayed in the d'Aubigny family until 1272. That year, Simon d'Aubigny died without a son to inherit the castle. After that, Cainhoe Castle passed to other important families, including the de Lacys, the Nortons, and later the Greys, who were Earls of Kent.
The Castle's End
Cainhoe Castle was used until around 1348. This was the time of the Black Death, a terrible disease that spread across Europe. Many people died from the Black Death. It is believed that all the people living in Cainhoe Castle and the small village around it died from the disease. The castle and village were later found completely empty.
By 1374, the castle was already in ruins. Today, only the earthworks remain. These earthworks are protected as a Scheduled Monument. This means they are an important historical site that must be preserved.
Discoveries at the Site
Archaeologists have studied the site of Cainhoe Castle. They carried out excavations (careful digging to find old objects) in 1973, 1985, and 1986. These excavations helped them learn more about the castle and the people who lived there.
