Lidgate facts for kids
Lidgate is a small, quiet village in the English county of Suffolk. It's part of the West Suffolk area. You can find Lidgate on the B1063 road, right between the towns of Newmarket and Clare. In 2011, about 241 people lived in Lidgate. Lidgate is also a "civil parish," which is a local area with its own small government that helps manage local services.
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Lidgate: A Small English Village
Where is Lidgate?
Lidgate is located in the eastern part of England, in a county called Suffolk. It's a peaceful place, surrounded by the countryside. The village is easy to find if you're traveling between the larger towns of Newmarket and Clare on the B1063 road. Even though it's small, Lidgate has a long history.
St. Mary's Church
One of the most important buildings in Lidgate is St. Mary's Church. This church is very old, dating all the way back to the 13th century, which means it was built in the 1200s! It's considered a "Grade II* listed building." This means it's a very special historical building that is protected because of its importance and unique features.
A Famous Poet from Lidgate
St. Mary's Church has a cool connection to a famous person. A monk and poet named John Lydgate was born in Lidgate around the year 1370. He lived a long time ago, in the Middle Ages. John Lydgate was a very important writer of his time. It's even said that he left his signature and a secret message written on a wall inside St. Mary's Church!
Lidgate Castle
Near the village, you can also find the remains of Lidgate Castle. This castle was built a very long time ago, probably during a period in English history called The Anarchy. The Anarchy was a time of civil war in the 12th century when different groups were fighting over who should be king. King Stephen was on the throne during this time.
Lidgate Castle is a "motte and bailey castle." This type of castle has two main parts:
- A "motte" is a large mound of earth, usually with a wooden or stone tower on top.
- A "bailey" is a walled courtyard area next to the motte, where people lived and worked.
What makes Lidgate Castle special is its unusual square shape. Most motte and bailey castles were round or irregular, but Lidgate's design is quite unique.
