[2] It was constructed during the civil war of the Anarchy, a long running dispute between the supporters of Stephen, and his Angevin rival, the Empress Matilda.

[3] Stephen appropriated the village of Burwell, which was constructed on a raised area of land of Roman origin, and proceeded to commence building the castle.

[4] Geoffrey de Mandeville attacked Burwell in 1144 when the castle was still unfinished, but during the operation he was hit by a crossbow bolt; he retired to nearby Mildenhall, where he died from the injury.

[8] At the time portions of stone walling survived but were later destroyed during testing of a fire hose.

[11] Today only the unfinished earthworks remain of the castle, which have scheduled monument status.