Stevington Castle

Has been described as a Possible Masonry Castle

There are no visible remains

NameStevington Castle
Alternative NamesSeeds; Sedes
Historic CountryBedfordshire
Modern AuthorityBedfordshire
1974 AuthorityBedfordshire
Civil ParishStevington

A castle is said to have been built here by Baldwin Wake in 1281. Excavations in 1936 failed to find any remains. No significant features could be found during field investigation in 1974. (PastScape)

Of the castle erected here, in the time of King John, there are now no traces; but there is a large and apparently artificial mound towards Pavenham, and a curiously excavated field near by, called the "Seeds," or "Sedes," which points to the probable site, or intended site of the castle. (Kelly's Directory)

The site of Stevington Manor House. In 1281 Baldwin Wake was given a licence "to crenellate a chamber in his marsh of Stiventon" but no trace of a castle has been found. It is likely to be a reference to the same site as the later manor house. A lime kiln has been found nearby (HER14358) and there are associated earthworks (HER3556, 5078). The Manor House was demolished in 1872 and a new farmhouse (Manor Farm) built in 1875, with farm buildings being constructed on the site of the Manor House. There is anecdotal evicdence for the discovery of wall remnants and floors during work at Manor Farm. (Bedfordshire HER)

Gatehouse Comments

Site close to church. In flood plain of River Great Ouse and features possible lost in alluvial deposits. Licence to crenellate issued 1281 but Baldwin died shortly afterwards and it seems probably that little work was done although he did leave an adult son. A mound, know as Tainter Hill, at SP983544 has been suggested as a site of Baldwin's castle, but this seems to be a natural knoll somewhat altered by lynchets. The licence to crenellate specifically states 'in the marsh' so the site must have be in the flood plain of the river.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSP992535
Latitude52.1709518432617
Longitude-0.552299976348877
Eastings499200
Northings253500
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Page, Wm (ed), 1912, 'Parishes: Stevington' VCH Bedfordshire Vol. 3 p. 100-04 online transcription
  • 1898, Kelly's Directory - Bedfordshire
  • Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 Part 2 p. 279-80, 403 online copy

Primary Sources

  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1901, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward I (1272-81) Vol. 1 p. 453 online copy