Aldford Castle

Aldford Castle stands in the village of Aldford, England.

The site appears to have originated as an earth-and-timber fortress in the mid twelfth century. Tradition links its initial builders to the local Alford family, with Robert de Alford often named as responsible during the reign of Henry II, while another account credits Richard de Aldford with construction in the same century. In 1160 control passed to a man recorded as Robertus, described as a descendant of the de Bigod family. The possibility that the site is substantially older has been noted alongside these accounts.

Documents record Richard de Alford as owner in the early thirteenth century. After Richard died in 1213 the estate passed into the household of John de Aderne, who is likely to have married Richard’s daughter Margaret. In the thirteenth century archaeological evidence indicates the earth-and-timber works were replaced with a stone shell keep. The castle served as a defensive post against hostile Welsh groups and it has been described explicitly as protecting the ford across the River Dee. Debate over tenure arrangements appears in the records, with some references indicating that holders paid for the lease of the castle until 1224. The site is now legally protected as a Scheduled Monument.