Silverstone

Has been described as a Possible Palace (Royal)

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameSilverstone
Alternative NamesSelveston
Historic CountryNorthamptonshire and the Soke of Peterborough
Modern AuthorityNorthamptonshire
1974 AuthorityNorthamptonshire
Civil ParishSilverstone

The royal hunting lodge at Silverston was frequently visited by the Angevin Kings. Its site is uncertain, but the remains of fishponds immediately to the N of Silverstone churchyard suggests that it may have been in that vicinity (SP 668443). It is mentioned as early as 1121-30, and was rebuilt and altered several times before royal interest in it ceased in 1317 (HKW).

There is no local tradition of a hunting lodge in the village, and no steading or moat is to be seen near the fish ponds (F1 JB 03-FEB-70). (PastScape)

Appears once as a castle in 1202, but this appears to have been a mistake. (King)

Gatehouse Comments

It maybe the mention of the site as a castle in 1202 is more an example of the varied and rather nuanced way the term castle was used by medieval writers although it is clear that what ever was at Silverstone was not a military building. It may well have been a set of entirely domestic buildings mainly of timber.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSP668443
Latitude52.0930213928223
Longitude-1.0263500213623
Eastings466800
Northings244300
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

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Books

  • James, T.B., 1990, The Palaces of Medieval England (London; Seaby) p. 78, 86
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 320 (reject - as castle)
  • Colvin, H.M., Brown, R.Allen and Taylor, A.J., 1963, The history of the King's Works Vol. 2: the Middle Ages (London: HMSO) p. 1002-3

Primary Sources

  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1901, Calendar of Patent Rolls Henry III (1216-25) Vol. 1 p. 124-5 online copy