Castlethorpe Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castlethorpe Castle |
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| Buckinghamshire, England | |
 Castlethorpe Castle
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| Coordinates | 52°05′38″N 0°50′12″W / 52.0940°N 0.8366°W |
| Type | Motte and bailey |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Destroyed |
| Site history | |
| Events | First Barons' War |
Castlethorpe Castle was an old castle located in the village of Castlethorpe, near Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, England. It was originally known as Hanslope Castle.
This castle was a motte and bailey type. This means it had a large earth mound (the motte) with a wooden tower on top. It also had a fenced area (the bailey) below. Winemar, a lord from Hanslope, built it in the 11th or 12th century.
Sadly, the castle was destroyed in 1215 during a big conflict called the First Barons' War. A general named Faulkes de Breauté attacked it, and it was never rebuilt. Today, you can only see the earth mounds and ditches where the castle once stood.
Contents
Where Was Castlethorpe Castle?
Castlethorpe Castle was located in the village of Castlethorpe. This village was part of a larger area called the manor of Hanslope during the Middle Ages. You can find it north of Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire.
The Story of Castlethorpe Castle
Castlethorpe Castle was built in the 12th century, or perhaps a little earlier. After William the Conqueror took over England in 1066, he gave the Hanslope area to Winemar the Fleming. Winemar was the one who built the castle's defenses.
In 1086, the castle was still owned by Winemar's family. Later, during the time of Henry I of England, the castle belonged to William Mauduit. He was a descendant of Winemar and an important official for the king.
Castlethorpe During The Anarchy
Between 1138 and 1153, England went through a difficult period called The Anarchy. This was a time when different groups fought for control of the country. The Mauduit family, who owned Castlethorpe Castle, supported Empress Matilda. She was fighting against King Stephen to become the ruler.
The Castle's Destruction
Later, during the reign of King John, there were big disagreements between the king and his powerful nobles, called barons. Robert Mauduit, the castle's owner at the time, chose to side with the barons against King John.
In the autumn of 1215, King John's general, Faulkes de Breauté, attacked Castlethorpe Castle. He destroyed it completely and took control of the Hanslope area. Even though Robert Mauduit eventually got his land back, the castle was never rebuilt.
The name "Castlethorpe" comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word. It means "farm or small settlement near a castle."
Today, the site of Castlethorpe Castle is a protected historical area. Only the earth mounds and ditches remain. You won't find any stone walls or buildings there now.
What Did Castlethorpe Castle Look Like?
The castle site has a large earth mound, called a motte. This mound is about 36 feet (11 meters) high. A wooden tower, known as a keep, would have stood on top of this motte.
South of the motte was a flat area called the inner bailey. This part was about 4 acres (16,000 square meters) in size. It was surrounded by another outer bailey and wide ditches. These ditches were up to 60 feet (18 meters) wide.
The Mauduit family likely lived in a large hall inside the inner bailey. There were entrances on the west and northwest sides. It seems there were many buildings on the site back then.
