Elsdon Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elsdon Castle |
|
|---|---|
| Northumberland, England, UK | |
Elsdon Castle
|
|
 Elsdon Castle
Location in Northumberland
|
|
| Coordinates | 55°14′08″N 2°05′51″W / 55.2356°N 2.0974°W |
Elsdon Castle is an old castle found in the village of Elsdon. This village is about 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Rothbury in Northumberland, England. People also know this castle as Mote Hills. It is a very important historical site, officially called a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Contents
Discover Elsdon Castle
Elsdon Castle is the best example of a medieval motte and bailey castle in Northumberland. A motte and bailey castle has two main parts. The "motte" is a big mound of earth, and the "bailey" is a courtyard surrounded by a fence or wall.
How Old Is This Castle?
Robert de Umfraville built Elsdon Castle in 1076. This was not long after the Normans took over England. The castle stands on a natural hill, which made it a good place for defense.
What Does It Look Like?
The castle site is open for everyone to visit for free. It has a tall mound, or motte, which is about 15 meters (49 feet) high. This mound is also about 80 meters (260 feet) wide. To the north of the motte, there is a crescent-shaped bailey. This bailey was once protected by an earth bank.
Why Was Elsdon Castle Left?
Experts believe Elsdon Castle was no longer used after 1160. This is because a new castle, Harbottle Castle, was built nearby. Harbottle Castle likely took its place. By the mid-13th century, Elsdon Castle was completely abandoned. It was not even mentioned when Gilbert de Umfraville died in 1245.
Old Stories and Finds
There are some interesting legends about Elsdon Castle. One story says a giant from Denmark once lived on the hill. This giant supposedly scared everyone in the area. This tale might be about Siward the Dane. He was an important earl in Northumberland during the time of Edward the Confessor.
People have also found old items around the castle. In the 1700s, workers found a Roman stone. This stone might have come from a Roman fort called High Rochester. It was probably reused to build parts of the castle. In the 1800s, a pottery pot was also found there.
Explore Nearby: Elsdon Tower
Close to Elsdon Castle, you can find Elsdon Tower. This is a type of strong, small tower called a pele tower. It was built in the late 1300s or early 1400s. The de Umfraville family might have built it too. For 600 years, it was the local church's rectory (a home for the priest). In 1961, it became a private home.
