Cuckney Castle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cuckney motte and bailey castle
Cuckney motte and bailey castle, December 2017
Location	Cuckney, Nottinghamshire
OS grid reference	SK 56582 71405
Built	11th century
Built for	Thomas de Cuckney
Scheduled monument
Designated	28 April 1953
Reference no.	1010909

Imagine stepping back in time to a place where castles stood tall! Cuckney Castle was once a strong fortress in the village of Cuckney. This village is in Nottinghamshire, located between the towns of Worksop and Market Warsop. Today, you can still see parts of what was once a very important castle.

What Was Cuckney Castle?

Cuckney Castle was a special type of castle called a motte and bailey fortress. It was built by a person named Thomas de Cuckney. This type of castle was very common in England after the Norman Conquest.

Understanding Motte and Bailey Castles

A motte and bailey castle had two main parts:

• A motte was a large, tall mound of earth. A wooden tower or keep usually sat on top of this mound. This high position made it hard for enemies to attack.
• A bailey was a larger, flat area next to the motte. It was usually surrounded by a wooden fence or a ditch. The bailey held buildings like stables, workshops, and homes for soldiers.

These castles were quick to build. They offered good protection in a time when England was often at war.

A Castle's Story: Rise and Fall

Cuckney Castle was built in the 11th century. This was a time of great change in England. Castles like Cuckney helped control the land.

However, the castle didn't last forever. It was destroyed after a period known as The Anarchy. This was a time in England (from 1135 to 1153) when there was a big fight over who should be king. King Stephen was on the throne, but many people supported another ruler. This led to many battles and much chaos across the country.

After The Anarchy ended, many castles built without permission were pulled down. Cuckney Castle was one of them.

What Remains Today?

Today, Cuckney Castle is mostly gone. But you can still see some clues about where it stood. You can find the low remains of the motte, which is partly surrounded by a wide ditch. To the west, you might spot faint signs of the bailey. These remains are right at the edge of the churchyard of St Mary's Church, Norton Cuckney.

Because of its historical importance, Cuckney motte and bailey castle is protected. It is listed as a Scheduled Monument by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. This means it's a nationally important site. It is protected by law so that future generations can learn from it.

A Mysterious Discovery

In the 1950s, something very interesting was found near the churchyard. About 200 human skeletons were discovered in a trench. This large number of remains suggests there might have been a battle near the castle long ago. It makes you wonder what other secrets the ground around Cuckney Castle might hold!

Gallery

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  Panorama of Cuckney motte and bailey castle, Norton Road, Cuckney (with St Mary's Church in the background)

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  Cuckney motte and bailey castle, Norton Road, Cuckney

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  Cuckney motte and bailey castle, Norton Road, Cuckney

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  Cuckney motte and bailey castle, Norton Road, Cuckney (with St Mary's Church in the background)

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  Cuckney motte and bailey castle, Norton Road, Cuckney (with St Mary's Church in the background)

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  Cuckney motte and bailey castle, Norton Road, Cuckney (with St Mary's Church in the background)

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  Panorama of Cuckney motte and bailey castle, Norton Road, Cuckney

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  Cuckney motte and bailey castle, Norton Road, Cuckney

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  Cuckney motte and bailey castle, Norton Road, Cuckney

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  Cuckney motte and bailey castle, Norton Road, Cuckney (with St Mary's Church in the background)

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  Cuckney motte and bailey castle, Norton Road, Cuckney

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  Panorama of Cuckney motte and bailey castle, Norton Road, Cuckney (with St Mary's Church in the background)