Denton Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Denton Castle |
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| Denton, Norfolk, England | |
Remaining earthworks of Denton Castle
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 Denton Castle
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| Coordinates | 52°27′20″N 1°19′51″E / 52.4555°N 1.3309°E |
| Type | Motte and bailey |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Earthworks only remain |
Denton Castle was a special type of castle called a motte and bailey. It was built a long time ago in a village called Denton, which is in Norfolk, England. Today, you can still see the remains of its earthworks, which are like big mounds and ditches in the ground.
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What is Denton Castle?
Denton Castle was a "motte and bailey" castle. This means it had two main parts:
- A motte was a large, tall mound of earth. A wooden tower or keep would sit on top of this mound.
- A bailey was a larger, enclosed area next to the motte. It was usually surrounded by a ditch and a fence or wall. This area held buildings like homes, stables, and workshops.
These castles were quick to build using earth and wood. They were very common in England after the Normans arrived.
When Was Denton Castle Built?
Denton Castle was built sometime after the year 1088. This was not long after the Norman invasion of England in 1066. The Normans were people from Normandy (part of modern-day France) who took control of England. They built many castles to help them control the land.
It's thought that a powerful person named William d'Albini probably built Denton Castle. He owned land in Denton and also in a place called Buckenham, where he built another castle. He might have wanted Denton Castle to protect his lands and connect his estates.
What Did Denton Castle Look Like?
The motte (the big mound) at Denton Castle was about 150 feet (45 meters) wide. It had a deep ditch all around it for extra protection. The bailey, the area next to the motte, was shaped like a horseshoe. It would have also had its own ditch and a protective fence or wall.
We don't know exactly what the buildings inside the bailey looked like. They were likely made of wood. Over time, wooden castles often decayed or were replaced by stone ones. Denton Castle, however, seems to have been destroyed or abandoned relatively early.
What Happened to Denton Castle?
The castle might have been destroyed around the year 1254. This means it was only in use for about 150 years. Many early motte and bailey castles were either replaced by stronger stone castles or simply fell out of use.
Denton Castle Today
Today, Denton Castle is no longer a standing building. All that remains are the earthworks: the large motte mound and the ditches that once protected it. These earthworks are very important because they show us where the castle once stood.
Because of its historical importance, Denton Castle is now a scheduled monument. This means it's a special site protected by the government. It helps make sure that these ancient remains are preserved for future generations.
In 1990, the National Trust bought the castle site. The National Trust is a charity in the UK that protects important historic places and natural spaces. Denton Castle is now part of their Darrow Wood pasture, which is a natural area they look after.
