Peterborough Castle, Norman motte and bailey castle in Peterborough, England.
Peterborough Castle is a Norman earthen mound castle now located in the cathedral garden, standing 10 to 12 meters tall. The remaining structure clearly shows the original motte-and-bailey layout that once defended this religious center.
Abbot Thorold, appointed by William the Conqueror, built the fortress shortly after 1066 to protect himself from the monastery monks. About a century later, Abbot Martin de Bec ordered its deliberate destruction.
The castle site today reflects how closely religious and military authority were intertwined in medieval times. Walking around the mound beside the cathedral, you can sense this relationship between the church and those in power.
Access the site through the cathedral precinct, where information panels explain the medieval layout. Visit on a bright day to fully appreciate the mound's shape and height from different angles.
The castle was also known as Mount Thorold and Touthill, names reflecting the importance of Abbot Thorold to its creation. These alternative names hint at how closely this site was identified with its founder.
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