More information : [SP 2505 6027] Site of Castle [G.T.]. (1)
"The field now known as Castle Hill is on the south side of the brook, just above Lower Fulbrook Farm. This is the site of the 'praty castle made of stone and brike' (a) built by John, Duke of Bedford, in the 15th. century. There are no remains above ground, but excavations some years ago are said to have revealed brick-lined foundations (b) and recent ploughing has turned up large quantities of bricks of early type and occasional fragments of glazed tiles and pottery. These buildings were all said to be ruinous by 1478, (c) though the lodge was apparently still standing in Leland's time. The castle, was finally demolished by Sir William Compton. (2)
The hill to the south of the stream at Fullbrook would seem to be the site of the castle demolished by Sir William Compton, but Leland was quoting from information he picked up, and it may be that the earlier castle of the Duke of Bedford, which was in existence at least a century before his time, was within the moat now dry, to the north of the stream [see SP 26 SE 18] it is a more likely spot for such a building at that date and brick is a very unusual material for a date early in the fifteenth century. (3)
In collecting bricks in the field where the castle stood, stone steps were discovered leading down to the cellar arched over with brick, which appeared to have been under a tower, with a small window looking in to the moat. In the adjoining field is a great cavity where the bricks were made. (4)
The site of the castle is at the top of a small hill. It was under crops and could not be investigated. (5)
Scheduled as 'Castle Hill'. (6)
Cropmarks of the castle buildings have been identified on top of Castle Hill 60m north (SP 25026033) of the position marked by the Ordnance Survey. See Illustration Card. (7-8)
Additional bibliography. (9-11) |