Pulford Castle facts for kids
Pulford Castle is a historic site located in the village of Pulford, Cheshire, England. It stands right next to St Mary's Church. This important place is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, which means it's a special historical site that the government wants to preserve.
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What is Pulford Castle?
Pulford Castle was a small but important type of castle called a motte and bailey. Imagine a big mound of earth (the "motte") with a tower on top. Next to it was a walled-off area (the "bailey") where people lived and worked. This castle was built to protect a crossing point over Pulford Brook. This brook was important because it marked the border between England and Wales. The castle also watched over the main road connecting Wrexham and Chester.
A Look at Pulford Castle's Past
Who Built Pulford Castle?
Pulford Castle was first built in the 12th century. It was founded by a person named Robert de Pulford. Back then, castles like this were often built by local lords to control their lands and protect important routes.
What Remains Today?
Today, you won't see a grand stone castle at Pulford. Only the earthworks remain. These are the shapes in the ground that show where the motte (mound) and bailey (enclosed area) once stood. Even though the buildings are gone, these earthworks tell us a lot about the castle's size and layout.
The Castle's Purpose
In 1313, a special group of people called a jury looked into how land was held. They found that the lord of Little Caldy, a place in Wirral, had to help maintain Pulford Castle. Their job was to repair the wooden fences or walls (called 'palisading') around Robert de Pulford's castle. This shows how important the castle was for local defense and how different parts of the community contributed to its upkeep.
