Clan Rising
Cainhoe Castle today

England · Ruin

Cainhoe Castle

Cainhoe Castle was an 11th-century Norman motte-and-triple-bailey castle near Clophill in Bedfordshire, England. Built after the Norman Conquest, it served as the caput of a barony and was occupied until the mid-14th century; today only its earthworks survive and the site is a Scheduled Monument.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1270

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1270

What Cainhoe Castle looked like in its prime.

A large conical earthen motte set among a string of low, rounded grassy baileys with visible scarped slopes and shallow ditches; no standing stonework survives in the photo, only grass-covered mounds and tree clumps on the margins. The soil is brownish clay topped by green pasture; perimeter banks form distinct curving outlines, with trees screening parts of the skyline and open fields and grazing animals around the site.

Its story

The story of Cainhoe Castle.

Cainhoe Castle was raised by Nigel d'Aubigny, a Norman knight, soon after the Conquest of 1066, a motte and triple bailey near Clophill in Bedfordshire that served as the seat of the Barony of Cainhoe. The d'Aubignys, deeply involved in the crusades, held it until Simon d'Aubigny died without a male heir in 1272, when it passed to the de Lacys, the Nortons, and then the Greys, Earls of Kent.

The castle was occupied until the Black Death reached it in 1348, when all the inhabitants died of the disease; castle and the small village that had grown up around it were later found abandoned, and by 1374 it was in ruins. Excavated in 1973, 1985 and 1986, the site survives as earthworks only and is a Scheduled Monument.

Step inside

7 places to explore in 1270.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Cainhoe Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Pasture approach to the castleBase of the motte by the inner baileySummit of the motte (timber keep)Inner bailey courtyardMiddle bailey workyards and service areasOuter bailey and village edgeDefensive ditch and rampart

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The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1270, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Cainhoe Castle.

The families that held Cainhoe Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • d'Aubigny

    Seat of the d'Aubigny Barony of Cainhoe from soon after 1066 until Simon d'Aubigny died without a male heir in 1272.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Cainhoe Castle.

Woburn Abbey, EnglandMuseumWoburn Abbey14 km awayKenilworth Road, EnglandStadiumKenilworth Road16 km awayKnebworth House, EnglandMuseumKnebworth House21 km away

Questions about Cainhoe Castle

What is the history of Cainhoe Castle?

Cainhoe Castle was raised in the 11th century, soon after the Norman Conquest of 1066, as the seat of the Barony of Cainhoe. Nigel d'Aubigny founded the motte-and-triple-bailey castle, which remained with the d'Aubigny family until Simon d'Aubigny died without a male heir in 1272. It later passed to the de Lacys, the Nortons and the Greys, Earls of Kent, before being abandoned and falling into ruin by 1374.

Why was Cainhoe Castle built, and what was it used for?

Cainhoe Castle was built as the seat of the Barony of Cainhoe. It was a motte-and-triple-bailey stronghold and served as the centre of the d'Aubigny barony. The castle and the small village around it were occupied until the Black Death reached the site in 1348; all the inhabitants died of the disease, and the settlement was later abandoned.

Where is Cainhoe Castle?

Cainhoe Castle is near Clophill in Bedfordshire, England. It stands close to the village of Clophill, in the county of Bedfordshire. The site is surrounded by open fields and pasture, with the surviving earthworks set among grass and tree clumps.

When was Cainhoe Castle built?

Cainhoe Castle was built in the 11th century, after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The site's first-raised year is not recorded, but both the site summary and the historical account place the castle in the 11th century. It was a Norman motte-and-triple-bailey castle.

Which family or clan held Cainhoe Castle?

The d'Aubigny family held Cainhoe Castle from soon after 1066 until Simon d'Aubigny died without a male heir in 1272. It was the seat of the d'Aubigny Barony of Cainhoe during this period. The castle then passed to the de Lacys, the Nortons and the Greys, Earls of Kent.

What did Cainhoe Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Cainhoe Castle had a large conical earthen motte with a string of three low, rounded grassy baileys. Scarped slopes, shallow ditches and curving perimeter banks shaped the earthwork defences. The site included a timber keep on the motte, while the surrounding landscape consisted of pasture, open fields and tree clumps.

Is Cainhoe Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Cainhoe Castle is a ruin, with only earthworks surviving today. No standing stonework remains in the visible site; the surviving features are grass-covered mounds, banks, scarps and shallow ditches. Excavations took place in 1973, 1985 and 1986, and the site is a Scheduled Monument.

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