Place record 3980/48 - Castle Lane, Castle Hill

Possible site of castle.

{1} A major uncertainty regarding the origins and development of the manor at Rothwell is the presence in the town of a street called Castle Lane, now Castle Hill, first recorded in 1720 by Bridges. However he also suggests that the town once had a wall with several gates, the east and west bars, something which is clearly wrong. There is no reference to a castle in the town in the medieval period, while the potential site lies at some distance to the north east of the church and presumed early focus of the settlement. The possibility that a castle was constructed in Rothwell either by the king or by the Earls of Clare cannot however be totally dismissed at present, especially as the other major royal manor which was granted to the Earls of Clare, Towcester, certainly did acquire a major motte and bailey castle. If so then it is possible that castle and market place were planned additions to the Rothwell manor in the late 11th or 12th century to the north east of the original core of the village.

<1> Foard G, 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Rothwell (Medieval and Post Medieval), (checked) (Digital archive). SNN100514.

<2> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN100366.

Record last edited

Apr 17 2008 3:48PM