Northampton Castle
| Northampton Castle | |
|---|---|
| Northampton, England | |
All that remains of Northampton Castle: a postern that was dismantled from its original position and rebuilt into the wall of Northampton railway station | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Motte-and-bailey castle |
| Condition | Destroyed |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 52°14′13″N 0°54′18″W / 52.237°N 0.905°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1084 |
| Built by | Simon de Senlis |
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Northampton Castle in Northampton, was one of the most prominent Norman castles in England. The castle site was outside the western city gate, and defended on three sides by deep trenches. A branch of the River Nene provided a natural barrier on the western side. The castle had extensive grounds and a large keep. The gates were surrounded by bulwarks made of earth, used to mount artillery. The castle was "obliterated" by the arrival of a railway branch of what is now the West Coast Main Line in the 19th century, the station of which was built on the castle site and the construction of the original Northampton Castle railway station. All that remains of the castle today is the Postern Gate, near Northampton Railway Station.