Thurleigh Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thurleigh Castle |
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| Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, England | |
 Thurleigh Castle
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| Coordinates | 52°12′50″N 0°27′42″W / 52.2138°N 0.4617°W |
| Type | Motte-and-bailey |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Earthworks |
Thurleigh Castle, also known as Bury Hills, was a castle from the Middle Ages (a long time ago!) located in Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, England. Today, you can only see its earthworks, which are the remains of its old walls and mounds made from earth.
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What is Thurleigh Castle?
Thurleigh Castle is a special historical site. It is protected by law as a Scheduled monument. This means it's an important place that needs to be preserved. It is described as a Bury Hill Camp: a motte-and-bailey castle with three fishponds.
Understanding a Motte-and-Bailey Castle
A motte-and-bailey castle was a common type of castle built after the Norman Conquest in England. It had two main parts:
- A motte is a large mound of earth. A wooden or stone tower would sit on top of this mound.
- A bailey is a large, enclosed courtyard. It was surrounded by a ditch and a fence or wall. This area held buildings like homes, stables, and workshops.
Thurleigh Castle's motte is quite special. It has two levels at the top. The bailey is also unusual because of its shape and very large size.
Exploring the Castle's Remains
The motte at Thurleigh Castle is an oval-shaped mound of earth. It measures about 60 meters long and up to 40 meters wide at its base. At the very top, it's about 40 meters long and 20 meters wide. The higher part of the motte was likely where the main stronghold or tower stood.
South of the motte is the bailey. It has an irregular shape and is very large, measuring about 200 meters by 270 meters. Imagine a huge open space where people lived and worked!
Who Lived Here Before?
In the 1970s, archaeologists dug up parts of the site. They found very few remains of the Norman castle itself. However, they discovered signs that people lived here much earlier! They found items from the Iron Age, Roman times, and the Saxon period. This shows that this spot has been important for a very long time.
Some historians believe that this castle was one of a line of defensive sites. These sites were built along the River Great Ouse to protect the area. It is thought that King Stephen (who ruled from 1135 to 1154) might have ordered the building of Thurleigh Castle. Today, much of the original site has been built over. Only the earthworks, the mounds and ditches, remain visible.
