English Bicknor Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids English Bicknor Castle |
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| English Bicknor in Gloucestershire, England | |
The castle ruins today
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 English Bicknor Castle
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| Coordinates | 51°50′19″N 2°36′31″W / 51.838611°N 2.608611°W |
| Type | Motte and bailey |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Earthworks only remain |
English Bicknor Castle was an old castle located in the village of English Bicknor in Gloucestershire, England. Today, only its earthworks remain, showing us where it once stood.
Contents
What is a Motte and Bailey Castle?
Many early castles in England were built using a design called "motte and bailey." This was a very common way to build castles after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Motte
The "motte" part of the castle was a large, raised earth mound. Think of it like a big hill made by people. A wooden tower or even a stone keep (a strong central tower) would often sit on top of this mound. Being high up gave defenders a great view and made it harder for enemies to attack.
Bailey
The "bailey" was a courtyard area next to the motte. It was usually surrounded by a wooden fence, a ditch, or sometimes a stone wall. This area held buildings like stables, workshops, and homes for soldiers and servants. It was a safe place for people and animals during an attack.
The Castle's Design
English Bicknor Castle was built in the 11th century, or possibly in the early 12th century. It was designed as a motte and bailey castle.
The main motte, or earth mound, was in the middle of the castle. It was surrounded by two circular outer walls. This made the castle roughly round, about 150 yards (about 137 meters) across.
The motte was placed near the south-west side of the site. The ground here sloped away, which gave the castle extra protection from invaders. Later, a square stone keep might have been built on top of the motte. A church was also built inside the outer bailey area.
Who Owned the Castle?
At the start of a difficult time in English history known as the Anarchy, a powerful person named Miles de Gloucester controlled English Bicknor Castle.
The Anarchy
The Anarchy was a period of civil war in England (1135–1153). It was a fight for the throne between King Stephen and Empress Matilda. During this time, many castles played a big role in controlling land and people.
What Happened to the Castle?
Luckily, English Bicknor Castle was not destroyed at the end of the Anarchy. It was still being used at the beginning of the 13th century. At that time, a person named William Avenel owned it. We don't know the exact date when the castle finally fell into ruin. Today, only the earthworks remain, showing us where this historic castle once stood.
