THE NORMAN CASTLE

Saxon Lidgate John de Lydgate in 14th C recalls a tradition that in olden times Lidgate was once a famous castle town and that it was laid waste by the Danes at the time of the martyrdom of King Edmund in 869 AD

The Domesday Book records that the Manor of Lidgate was held by three of William's men: Algar, William de Watteville and Rainald the Breton, who claimed his share from the King as alms. He was reputed to have lost his nose in battle.

Lords of the Manor. 12th - 14th Century The Hastings family who claimed to be hereditary stewards of the Liberty of St. Edmund In the succeeding centuries the manor passed through inheritance or sale to the Bergavennys, the Nevills, the Cottons, the Jermyns, the Davers, the Seymours and finally the Dukes of Rutland. The last being Henry Manners the 8th Duke of Rutland in 1906. Isabel Hastings seems to have lived here in 14th century.

The Castle site has a commanding view over the surrounding countryside. Its layout is an unusual design and not the typical circular motte and bailey castle. It is more akin to a Roman layout. With the discovery of the Villa this area may well have been garrisoned by a Roman company. Traces of Roman brickwork can be found in the Church walls.

The central platform (below right) is surrounded by very deep ditches, but there is nothing left of the castle itself. It may have been used in the construction of the Church. In 18th and 19th centuries it is recorded that remaining foundations were dug up and used to construct the roads. In the 20th century steps were found leading down 'somewhere' but the local farmer ordered them to be filled in. They are reported to be by the ?old crab apple tree? On another occasion  a skeleton in armour was dug up but reburied

Why was it built? It may have been built in the 1150s during the time of the civil war between King Stephen and Matilda. The Lords of the Manor were the Hastings family who held it in fief to the Abbey of Bury. A hundred years later saw Henry de Hastings on the side of Simon de Montford against the King. He attacked and captured nearby Kirtling castle.

A view showing part of the moat which for the most part is dry. The whole site lies on private land.