Balbecs Castle, Medmenham

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Bolebecs Castle; Bolbeck; Bullbank's; Bulbek; Bulbank

In the civil parish of Medmenham. In the historic county of Buckinghamshire (Modern Authority of Buckinghamshire, 1974 county of Buckinghamshire).

Medieval castle possible situated within the eastern rampart of Danesfield Camp (SU 88 SW 15). The building was described as being in ruins in 1771. No traces of the castle have yet been identified. (PastScape)
Legendary site of Bolebec's Castle is actually Iron Age hillfort, Medmenham Camp (Bucks SMR).
There are two Iron Age camps in the parish and have been two manors. However, in my opinion, as there was not actually a separate manor at Medmenham before 1415 the most likely site for this castle would be Medmenham Camp, beside the parish church, and near the water mill. This site shows signs of being quarried and landscaped. The mentions of this as a castle are slight and it's usually described as a manor in historical documents. If located on eastern rampart then would have been defended on one or two side but the absence of other earthworks suggests this was not a strongly fortified site.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SU805845

Air Photo from Air Photo and general mapping	1st edition OS Map from Mid to late 19th century maps
Modern Map from Landscape form and features	Modern Map from General location and route planning
Geograph British Isles occasionally has photos of the site and will usually give an idea of the surrounding landscape.

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's English Heritage (PastScape) Defra or Monument number is 248631
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 0116801000 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website.

• Web site links
  • http://ubp.buckscc.gov.uk/ResultsDetails.aspx?UID=MBC3529
• Books
  • Page, Wm (ed), 1925, VCH Buckinghamshire Vol3 p85-87 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=42533
    Plaisted, A.H.. 1925, The Manor and Parish Records of Medmenham p56
    Harvey, Alfred, 1911, Castles and Walled Towns of England (Methuen and Co)
    Sheahan, J., 1862, History and Topography of Buckinghamshire p906-7
    Langley, T., 1797, History and Antiquities of the Hundred of Desborough http://books.google.com/books?id=qkUQAAAAYAAJ
• Primary (Medieval documents or transcriptions of such documents - This section is far from complete and the secondary sources should be consulted for full references.)
  • L. and P. Hen. VIII, xiv (1), g. 1354 (45)
    Hearne, 1771 (ed), Liber Niger Vol1 p195