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The comprehensive gazetteer and bibliography of the medieval castles, fortifications and palaces of England, Wales, the Islands.
 
 
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Old Warden Quince Hill

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
Quints Hill

In the civil parish of Old Warden.
In the historic county of Bedfordshire.
Modern Authority of Bedfordshire.
1974 county of Bedfordshire.
Medieval County of Bedfordshire.

OS Map Grid Reference: TL136445
Latitude 52.08740° Longitude -0.34244°

Old Warden Quince Hill has been described as a certain Timber Castle.

There are earthwork remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

Description

One side of ringwork (or possibly motte) and narrow bailey.

Quints or Quince Hill is the remains of a massive motte, destroyed on the east side, with double-ditches curving around the north and west sides. Nothing is known of the history of the site. (PastScape)

Comments

The VCH writes "At the time of the Domesday Survey OLD WARDEN MANOR was held by William Spech as a manor of 9 hides. It formed part of the barony of Warden, which was created before 1166. After the death in 1153 of Walter Espec, certainly the descendant, probably the son, of William Spech, his possessions were divided between his three sisters." The various parts of the manor were eventual reunited in the hands of Warden Abbey, itself founded by Walter Spech.
It would seem likely that the castle was founded by either William or Walter Spech (Espec) possibly at a similar time to the foundation of the Abbey. It probably went out of use on the death of Walter Espec in 1153.
Other than the church there is little settlement now at Old Warden but presumably the church represents the site of a DMV. There is a park nearby.
Links to archaeological and architectural databases, mapping and other online resources

Data >
PastScape   County HER   Scheduling        
Maps >
Streetmap   NLS maps   Where's the path   Old-Maps      
Data/Maps > 
Magic   V. O. B.   Geology   LiDAR   Open Domesday  
Air Photos > 
Bing Maps   Google Maps   Getmapping   ZoomEarth      
Photos >
CastleFacts   Geograph   Flickr   Panoramio      

Sources of information, references and further reading
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Suggestions for finding online and/or hard copies of bibliographical sources can be seen at this link.
Minor archaeological investigations, such as watching brief reports, and some other 'grey' literature is most likely to be held by H.E.R.s but is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded here, or elsewhere, but some suggestions can be found here.
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This record last updated 26/07/2017 09:21:01

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