Driffield Castle facts for kids
Driffield Castle was an old Norman fortress located in the town of Driffield, about 12 miles (19 km) north of Beverley in East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It was once a strong castle built on a mound of earth.
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Discovering Driffield Castle
What Was Driffield Castle?
Driffield Castle was a type of early castle called a motte and bailey fortress. Imagine a big hill of earth, called a motte, with a wooden tower on top. Next to it was a walled area, called a bailey, where soldiers and people lived. This design was common for castles built by the Normans.
Who Built This Castle?
The castle was first built by Hugh d'Avranches, 1st Earl of Chester. He was an important Norman noble. Later, in the 13th century, the castle was made stronger. This shows that it was an important place for a long time.
A Look Back in Time: More Than Just a Castle
Roman and Anglo-Saxon Secrets
Even before the castle was built, this spot was important. During the 19th century and again in 1975, archaeologists dug up parts of the site. They found signs of a Roman settlement from the 4th century AD, right under where the castle's motte was. This means Romans lived here long before the Normans.
A local archaeologist from the 19th century, John Robert Mortimer, found pieces of old swords, spears, and silver coins. These finds tell us about the people who lived and fought here.
There's even a mention of Driffield in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a very old history book. It suggests that this site might have been home to a rare Northumbrian palace in the 8th century AD. This means kings or important leaders might have lived here. The land was also part of the royal family's property from the 11th to the 15th centuries.
What Remains Today?
Today, you won't see a grand castle building. Only the earthworks remain. These are the shapes in the ground that show where the motte and bailey once stood. The site is now known as Moot Hill. Sadly, some of the motte was damaged in the 1800s when people dug for stone. Houses have also been built on parts of the bailey. The castle site and the land around it were sold in 2011.
