Thorpe Waterville Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thorpe Waterville Castle |
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| Thorpe Waterville, Northamptonshire, England | |
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 Thorpe Waterville Castle
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| Coordinates | 52°25′16″N 0°29′55″W / 52.4211°N 0.4986°W |
| Type | Fortified manor house |
| Site information | |
| Owner | The Venn family |
Thorpe Waterville Castle was a special kind of old house in England. It was a 'fortified manor house', which means it was a large, fancy home that was also built strong like a castle. This helped to protect its owners. You can find its remains near a village called Thorpe Waterville in Northamptonshire.
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Discovering Thorpe Waterville Castle
Who Built This Castle?
Thorpe Waterville Castle was built around the year 1300. The person who had it built was named Walter Langton. He was an important church leader, known as the bishop of Coventry and Lichfield.
Langton wanted a very grand and strong home. He even used wood from a nearby abbey's land to help build it. The result was a beautiful and well-protected house.
A Castle Under Attack
Later, the castle belonged to a nobleman named Lord Lovell. In early 1461, during a time called the Wars of the Roses, the castle faced a big challenge. The Wars of the Roses were a series of fights between two powerful families in England who both wanted to rule the country.
During these wars, Thorpe Waterville Castle was attacked. The attackers managed to take over the castle. This event shows how important and strategic the castle was during that period.
What's Left Today?
Even though the castle is very old, parts of it still exist! The main hall of the castle was later changed into a barn. This barn is still standing today. It even has a special chimney from the 1300s.
Today, what's left of Thorpe Waterville Castle is very important. It has a special protection status called a "scheduled monument." This means it's a nationally important historical site. It is also listed as a "Grade I listed building," which is the highest level of protection for historic buildings in England. These protections help make sure the castle's history is preserved for everyone to learn about.
