Yielden Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yielden Castle |
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| Yielden, Bedfordshire, England | |
Remaining earthworks
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 Yielden Castle
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| Coordinates | 52°17′28″N 0°30′54″W / 52.2912°N 0.5150°W |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Fragments and earthworks |
Yielden Castle was an old castle built in the 1100s. It was located in a place called Yielden in Bedfordshire, England. This castle was an important building many centuries ago.
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Exploring Yielden Castle's Past
Yielden Castle was known by a few different names over time. People sometimes called it "Yeldon Castle", "Yelden Castle", "Giuelden Castle", or "Yielding Castle".
What Kind of Castle Was It?
Yielden Castle was a type of castle called a Motte-and-bailey castle. This means it had two main parts:
- A motte was a big earth mound, like a small hill. The main tower or keep would sit on top of this.
- A bailey was a large, fenced-off area at the bottom of the motte. This area held buildings like homes, stables, and workshops.
Yielden Castle was special because it had two baileys, which was quite large for its time.
Who Lived There?
The castle was first written about in history books in 1173. It was the main home and fortress for a powerful family called the Trailly family. They lived there and used it as their stronghold for many years, right up until the 1200s.
What Happened to the Castle?
By the year 1360, Yielden Castle was already falling apart. It was no longer a strong fortress. Over hundreds of years, much of it disappeared.
Discoveries at the Site
People did excavations (digging to find old things) at the castle site in 1881 and 1882. During these digs, they found parts of a stone wall from the 1200s. This wall was likely a "curtain wall," which protected the castle.
Yielden Castle Today
Today, you won't see a tall castle at Yielden. Most of what's left are just earthworks. These are the mounds and ditches that show where the castle once stood. You can still see some small remains of the original structure.
Because of its historical importance, Yielden Castle is now a Scheduled Monument. This means it's a special historical site protected by law. It helps make sure these old places are preserved for future generations to learn from.
