Banbury Castle

Banbury Castle was built in 1135 by Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln, in a motte and bailey design. The castle was later confiscated from Alexander by King Stephen in 1139, but was returned to the bishop later that year and mostly remained in the hands of later bishops until 1547. The castle was subsequently completely rebuilt; earlier historians had concluded that the rebuilding occurred in the late 13th century, but archaeological excavations in the 1970s demonstrated that the work occurred between 1225–50. The new castle had a concentric pentagonal plan, with thick, embanked walls. The castle had a gatehouse, although later damage means that its design remains uncertain. Shortly after this…

Nothing can now be seen of Banbury Castle, whose location is marked by Castle Street. The site was excavated in 1973–74.