Old Warden Quince Hill

Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte Ringwork)

There are earthwork remains

NameOld Warden Quince Hill
Alternative NamesQuints Hill
Historic CountryBedfordshire
Modern AuthorityBedfordshire
1974 AuthorityBedfordshire
Civil ParishOld Warden

One side of ringwork (or possibly motte) and narrow bailey.

Quints or Quince Hill is the remains of a massive motte, destroyed on the east side, with double-ditches curving around the north and west sides. Nothing is known of the history of the site. (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

The VCH writes "At the time of the Domesday Survey OLD WARDEN MANOR was held by William Spech as a manor of 9 hides. It formed part of the barony of Warden, which was created before 1166. After the death in 1153 of Walter Espec, certainly the descendant, probably the son, of William Spech, his possessions were divided between his three sisters." The various parts of the manor were eventual reunited in the hands of Warden Abbey, itself founded by Walter Spech. It would seem likely that the castle was founded by either William or Walter Spech (Espec) possibly at a similar time to the foundation of the Abbey. It probably went out of use on the death of Walter Espec in 1153. Other than the church there is little settlement now at Old Warden but presumably the church represents the site of a DMV. There is a park nearby.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTL136445
Latitude52.0873985290527
Longitude-0.342440009117126
Eastings513600
Northings244500
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Petre, James Scott, 2012, The Castles of Bedfordshire (Lavenham: Lavenham Press for Shaun Tyas) p. 71-2
  • Lowerre, A.G., 2008, 'Why here and not there? The Location of Early Norman Castles in the South-East East Midlands' in C.P. Lewis (ed), Anglo-Norman Studies 29. Proceedings of the Battle Conference 2006 (Woddbridge) p. 125-6, 135
  • Lowerre, A.G., 2007, 'A GIS Analysis of the Location of Late-Eleventh-Century Castles in the Southeastern Midlands of England' in' Clark, J.T. and E.M. Hagemeister (eds.) Digital Discovery. Exploring New Frontiers in Human Heritage (Archaeolingua) p. 239-252 online copy
  • Lowerre, A.G., 2005, Placing Castles in the Conquest. Landscape, Lordship and Local Politics in the South-Eastern Midlands, 1066-1100 (Oxford: John and Erica Hedges Ltd: BAR British Series 385) p. 221-2
  • Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles of The Thames Valley and The Chilterns (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 15
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 6
  • Wadmore, Beauchamp, 1920, The Earthworks of Bedfordshire (Bedford) p. 117-9
  • Page, Wm (ed), 1912, VCH Bedfordshire Vol. 3 p. 251-6 (manorial history) online transcription
  • Page, Wm (ed), 1908, VCH Bedfordshire Vol. 2 p. 15
  • Goddard, A.R., 1904, 'Ancient Earthworks' in Doubleday, H.Arthur and Page, Wm (eds), VCH Bedfordshire Vol. 1 p. 270-1

Journals

  • Thompson, M.W., 1986, 'Associated monasteries and castles in the Middle Ages: a tentative list' The Archaeological Journal Vol. 143 p. 316
  • Baker, D., 1982, 'Mottes, Moats and ringworks in Bedfordshire: Beauchamp Wadmore revisited' Château Gaillard Vol. 9-10 p. 35-54
  • King, D.J.C. and Alcock, L., 1969, 'Ringworks in England and Wales' Château Gaillard Vol. 3 p. 90-127
  • Dyer, J.F., 1962-3, 'Bedfordshire Earthworks VIII, The Castles: Part One' Bedfordshire magazine Vol. 8 no. 63 p. 270

Other

  • Lowerre, A.G., 2004, Placing Castles in the Conquest. Landscape, Lordship and Local Politics in the South-Eastern Midlands, 1066-1100 (PhD thesis: Boston College) p. 459-62