BURWELL CASTLE

Cambridgeshire

Burwell Castle, Cambridgeshire

Burwell Castle dates back to the Anarchy, as do many Cambridgeshire earthwork Castles. It takes the form of a large, low platform with a very small motte in its centre.  The earthworks are quite extensive but were not completed at the time.  The ramps of soil over the moats are still in place to make movement of soil around the site easier for the builders.

The Castle was built by King Stephen against Geoffrey de Mandeville who came here with his army to attack the Castle and was wounded in the attack and soon died, thus making the Castle worthless so it was abandoned.

At some stage stonework of some kind was added to Burwell Castle as photos of the 1920s show some ruins; these may have been from a chapel built in 1264.

The earthworks are on public land.

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© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2001

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