Luton Holly Lodge

Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte)

There are no visible remains

NameLuton Holly Lodge
Alternative NamesRobert de Waudari's castle
Historic CountryBedfordshire
Modern AuthorityLuton
1974 AuthorityBedfordshire
Civil ParishLuton

Motte and bailey erected in 1139 and pulled down in 1154. Dry ditch of bailey exposed in 1963 but not excavated. Holly Lodge stands on a mound which may be the site of this castle. An excavation in 2002 found the steep sided, V shaped, ditch, 1.6m wide and 2.9m deep confirming this as a castle site.

Traces of palisade and ditch found in 1963 (motte under bus depot) perhaps the new castle super Luiam of 1141 (Renn 1973)

Gatehouse Comments

The castle on the Lea is now generally felt to be South Mymms.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTL090208
Latitude51.875560760498
Longitude-0.416420012712479
Eastings509060
Northings220820
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

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Books

  • Petre, James Scott, 2012, The Castles of Bedfordshire (Lavenham: Lavenham Press for Shaun Tyas) p. 67
  • Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles of The Thames Valley and The Chilterns (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 14
  • Higham, R. and Barker, P., 1992, Timber Castles (Batsford) p. 355
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 8, 9
  • Renn, D.F., 1973 (2 edn.), Norman Castles of Britain (London: John Baker) p. 355-6
  • Godber, J., 1969, History of Bedfordshire (Bedford) p. 58
  • James Dyer, Frank Stygall and John Dony, 1964, The Story of Luton (Luton: White Crescent Press) p. 54-6
  • Austin, W., 1928, History of Luton Vol. 1 p. 74
  • Davis, F., 1855, History of Luton p. 49

Journals

  • Abrams, J. and Shotliff, D., 2010, 'The remains of Robert de Waudari's adulterine castle, Castle Street, Luton' Bedfordshire Archaeology Vol. 26 p. 387-404
  • Coles, S., 2004, 'Excavation at Castle Street, Luton: the site of Robert de Waudari's Castle' Bedfordshire Archaeology Vol. 25 p. 201-7
  • Bradley, J. and Gaimster, M. (eds), 2004, 'Medieval Britain and Ireland in 2003' Medieval Archaeology Vol. 48 p. 251-2 download copy
  • Coles, S., 2003, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter Vol. 33 p. 17-20 online copy
  • Baker, D., 1982, 'Mottes, Moats and ringworks in Bedfordshire: Beauchamp Wadmore revisited' Château Gaillard Vol. 9-10 p. 35-54
  • Dyer, J.F., 1962-3, 'Bedfordshire Earthworks VIII, The Castles: Part One' Bedfordshire magazine Vol. 8 no. 63 p. 650

Other

  • Albion Archaeology, 2003 (edited January 2005), Extensive Urban Survey - Bedfordshire and Luton (Bedfordshire County Council and English Heritage) Download copy