Barnwell Castle

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Barnwell Castle

Northamptonshire

Barnwell Castle.jpg
Barnwell Castle
Location
Grid reference: TL045853
Location: 52°27’20"N, 0°27’38"W
History
Information
Condition: Ruis

Barnwell Castle is a ruined castle just north of the village of Barnwell in Northamptonshire, and south of the town of Oundle. Though a ruin, it is a Grade I listed building,[1] and also a Scheduled Ancient Monument.[2] It is privately owned.

A motte and bailey castle was erected in 1132. The stone castle was built during the reign of King Henry III by the family of Berengar Le Moyne at the time of the Second Barons' War (1264-67).

During the Civil War, the castle was used by its owner, Sir Edward Montagu, as an arsenal for the Royal cause.[3] After the civil war the Montagu family built a substantial manor house, Barnwell Manor, near the castle.

Substantial parts of the castle remain. It is quadrilateral in shape with cylinder towers on the north-east, north-west and south-west corners. On the southeast corner is a twin-towered gatehouse. The walls are up to thirty feet high and over twelve feet thick.[4]

References

  1. National Heritage List 1294426: Barnwell Castle (Grade I listing)
  2. National Heritage List 1003624: Barnwell Castle (Scheduled ancient monument entry)
  3. "Barnwell Castle". East Northants On Line. http://www.east-northantsonline.co.uk/pp/gold/viewGold.asp?IDType=Page&ID=5461. 
  4. Fry, Plantagenet Somerset (1980). The David & Charles Book of Castles. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. p. 184. ISBN 0-7153-7976-3.