Eastcotts Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eastcotts Castle |
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| Eastcotts, Bedfordshire, England | |
Exeter Wood near the site of Eastcotts Castle
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 Eastcotts Castle
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| Coordinates | 52°05′08″N 0°23′45″W / 52.0855°N 0.3957°W |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Earthworks |
Eastcotts Castle was a type of castle built a very long time ago, during the Middle Ages (around the 11th or 12th century). It was located in a place called Eastcotts in Bedfordshire, England. Today, you can't see the castle itself, but you can still find traces of where it once stood.
What Was Eastcotts Castle?
Eastcotts Castle was a small motte castle. A motte castle was a simple but effective type of castle. It had a large mound of earth, called a "motte," with a wooden tower on top. Below the motte was a fenced-off area called a "bailey," where people lived and worked.
When Was It Built?
Experts believe Eastcotts Castle was built sometime between the late 1000s and the early 1100s. This was a time when many castles were being built across England to help control the land.
Where Was It Located?
The castle was made of timber (wood) and sat on the northern edge of the Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge. This spot was perfect because it overlooked the village of Cardington and the River Great Ouse. Being on higher ground and near a river was important for defense and travel.
What Remains Today?
Today, Eastcotts Castle is no longer standing. All that is left are "earthworks." These are changes in the shape of the land, like mounds and ditches, that show where the castle's motte and bailey once were.
The site of Eastcotts Castle is very important. It is protected as a "Scheduled Monument." This means it's a nationally important archaeological site that is legally protected from damage. You can find these earthworks in Exeter Wood, about 780 meters southeast of Wood Farm.
