Toddington Castle, Medieval motte-and-bailey castle in Toddington, England.
Toddington Castle is a medieval motte-and-bailey fortification featuring a raised earthwork with a flat summit and a surrounding moat. The castle consists of the classic two-part design typical of Norman-era defenses, with the mound dominating the landscape.
The castle was built before the 13th century and served as a stronghold for Sir Paulinus Pegure, who leased it from Roger Bigod, 2nd Earl of Norfolk. Its early history reflects the Norman system of feudal landholding in England.
The site takes its name Conger Hill from a 16th-century rabbit warren, derived from the Middle English word 'coneygar'. This naming reflects how the land changed purposes over time as fortification gave way to farming activities.
The site can be reached by following two marked footpaths through a field located southeast of St George's Church in Toddington. These paths provide straightforward access to explore the mound and its surroundings.
According to local folklore, children would press their ears to the ground on Shrove Tuesday to listen for the sound of an old woman supposedly cooking pancakes inside the mound. This tale adds a layer of folk tradition to the castle's presence in the village.
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