Castle
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Bedford Castle

 County

Bedfordshire, England (3 castles) 

 Categories

Motte & Bailey

 Remains

Just the motte remains

 Access

At any reasonable time

 Location52.13556,-0.463255 (Google Maps) DirectionsDirections via Google Maps
 County

Bedfordshire, England (3 castles) 

 Categories

Motte & Bailey

 Remains

Just the motte remains

 Access

At any reasonable time

 Location
52.13556,-0.463255
 Directions
Directions via Google Maps
t is not known when Bedford Castle was built but it is thought construction took place somewhere at the end of the eleventh century or at the start of the twelfth. The castle was built within the town and overlooks the River Great Ouse. The first castle on the site would have been a wooden motte and bailey but this was replaced with stone at a later date. In 1224 a lengthy siege took place at the castle when Fulkes de Breaut, the owner at the time, rebelled again the King, Henry III. The castle was badly damaged at the end of the siege. Very little remains of the castle today apart from the base of the motte but the site can be visited.

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Timeline

918

...

Bedford fortified by Edward the Elder

Around this time Edward the Elder expelled the Danes from Bedford and fortified the several towns with ditches. Bedord, Colchester, Huntingdon and Wigmore are examples of the towns whose defences were improved after the Danes left. [1]

1138

...

Milo de Beauchamp captures Bedford Castle

In support of King David of Scotland, Milo de Beauchamp captured Bedford Castle. But after a siege, King Stephen took it back. [1]

1224

June (to August)

Bedford Castle siege

The garrison at Bedford Castle, belonging to the rebel Falkes de Breute, refused to surrender to the Crown. Falkes had been repeated summonsed to account for his refusal to comply with agreement and when he refused to appear before the King the castle was surrounded. The castle fell when the keep was undermined. The garrison, who had surrendered the castle, were all hung on the order of the Justiciar. Falkes was allowed to leave the country but he lost all his possessions in doing so. Bedford Castle was badly damaged as a result. [2]

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Selection of references used:

  • 1: Paul de Rapin-Thoyras, The History of England, Volume 5
  • 2: John Kinross, Discovering Castles in England and Wales, Shire Publications Ltd

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