Deddington Castle
We must admit that when we arrived at Deddington Castle, we assumed that there would be something, anything, left of the structure. We're lucky English Heritage have just about kept up with upkeep of the notice boards. This is nothing more than an earthwork castle now. Nothing remains of the original structure other than the built up earthen mounds. There aren't even any indents, it's really, quite sadly, just a dog walking field now. Deddington Castle was originally an 11th century Motte and Bailey castle which was built on a former Anglo-Saxon Estate. It was commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux who was the half brother of William the Conqueror. It is thought that the castle acted as his centre as it was both the richest of his estate and between his Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire estates. It's also possible that it doubled as a military structure to fight off any future Anglo-Saxon uprisings. This castle's layout was unusual for the area...
