Eaton Socon Castle

It was of a simple motte-and-bailey construction with the timber-framed living quarters within the two wards of the flat bailey area and a wooden watch-tower on the top of the conical mound which was the motte.

Very few pieces of stone have been found on the site, and it is probable that the primitive timber structure was never strengthened.

Nevertheless it was certainly occupied during the 12th century, and the prestige of having a castle, and of the later occupancy, resulted in Eaton being promoted to the status of Lesser Barony.

One of Henry's first commands was to order the destruction of all adulterine castles, that is, those built without royal permission during the civil war.

It is likely that Eaton Socon Castle was demolished as part of this move, although residential accommodation may have survived: fragments of 13th-century pottery and traces of buildings from that era have been found on the site and "Lady Juliana de Beauchamp" is recorded as a resident at Eaton Socon at that time.

[2] The castle was a Norman double enclosure, whose construction required the demolition of houses occupied by Anglo-Saxons.

The ringwork has a bailey on its north side and is surrounded to the west by a ditch enclosing an outer court.

The castle must by this date have been almost derelict, and he was held only until he could be taken to the greater security of Bedford gaol., where he awaited the next gaol delivery.