Someries Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Someries Castle |
|
|---|---|
| Near Hyde, Bedfordshire in England | |
 |
|
 Someries Castle
Shown within Bedfordshire
|
|
| Coordinates | 51°52′08″N 000°22′33″W / 51.86889°N 0.37583°W |
| Type | Fortified manor house |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1400 |
| In use | 1400–Present |
| Materials | Brick |
Someries Castle is an old building in Hyde, near Luton, England. It was built in the 1400s by a man named Sir John Wenlock. Some people even say his ghost still haunts the castle! Even though it's called a castle, it was actually a strong, protected house known as a fortified manor house. Today, Someries Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, which means it's a very important historical site protected by the government.
What is Someries Castle?
Someries Castle got its name from William de Someries. He used to live on this land a long time ago. But calling it a "castle" can be a bit confusing. It wasn't a huge fortress like you might imagine. Instead, it was a large, fancy house built to be strong and safe.
Building a Brick Manor
Sir John Wenlock bought the land in 1430. He then started building his new home. This house was special because it was one of the first buildings in England made mostly from bricks.
However, Sir John Wenlock never finished his grand house. Work stopped after he died in a battle in 1471. This battle was called the battle of Tewkesbury. After his death, the property went to the Rotheram family.
What Remains Today?
Sadly, parts of Someries Castle were taken down in the 1700s. But you can still see some of the original brickwork. The remains of the main entrance, called the gatehouse, are still standing. This gatehouse also included a small church, or chapel, and a place for guards to stay.
The old manor house itself is mostly gone. Now, you can only see its shape in the ground. These shapes are called earthworks. They show where the house used to stand. Some of the bricks from the manor house were even used to build nearby farmhouses in the 1600s.
Visiting the Castle
Someries Castle was closed to visitors for a short time in 2007. This was to make sure the old building was safe. Scaffolding was put up to help with the repairs. The castle reopened in 2008, so people could visit again.
