Laxton Castle, Motte-and-bailey castle in Laxton and Moorhouse, England
Laxton Castle is a motte-and-bailey castle in England with a central mound and surrounding courtyard areas protected by earthen ramparts and ditches. The site is surrounded by six medieval fishponds that supplied food to the settlement.
The castle was built shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066 when Geoffrey Alselin received the land and his son-in-law Robert de Caux established it as a residence. This early construction makes it one of the oldest examples of Norman military architecture in England.
The site demonstrates the medieval importance of fish farming in English castle life. Visitors can observe how the ponds were integrated into daily operations and food production.
The site is open to walk around freely and the earthen ramparts and ditches are clearly visible, making the medieval layout easy to understand. Sturdy footwear is helpful since the mounds and uneven ground can be muddy or slippery.
The two courtyards remain in unusually good condition and show minimal changes from medieval times, offering visitors a rare view of how Norman lords originally planned and used the fortification. This level of preservation is uncommon for sites of this age.
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