Castlethorpe Castle

Castlethorpe Castle belonged to lord of Hanslope and was constructed in the 12th century, or possibly slightly earlier. In 1066 William I granted the manor of Hanslope to Winemar the Fleming, who built the fortifications. During the reign of Henry I it was the baronial castle of Winemar's descendant William Mauduit, chamberlain to the king. During period known as The Anarchy (1138–1153) the Mauduit family, who owned the castle at that time, supported Empress Matilda against King Stephen. although only earthworks remain, with no traces of masonry.

The site consists of 36 ft high motte (large mound of earth) with a timber keep on top. This is on the south of the inner bailey (flat enclosure) of 4 acre, which is surrounded by an outer bailey and ditches up to 60 ft wide and a bank. The family probably lived in hall within the inner bailey, which has entrances on the west and northwest, and there are signs that there were extensive buildings on the site