# Odell Castle

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{{Short description|11th-century castle in England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{refimprove|date=April 2024}}
{{infobox military installation
|name = Odell Castle
|native_name = 
|partof = 
|location = [Odell](/source/Odell%2C_Bedfordshire), [Bedfordshire](/source/Bedfordshire), [England](/source/England)
|image = Odell-Castle.jpg
|image_size = 225px
|caption = The new Odell Castle, built in 1962
|map_type = Bedfordshire
|map_size = 
|map_alt = 
|map_caption = Shown within [Bedfordshire](/source/Bedfordshire)
|type = [Castle](/source/Castle)
|coordinates = {{coord|52.2109|N|0.5876|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
|gridref = {{gbmapping|SP966579}}
|code = 
|built = 
|builder = 
|materials = 
|height = 
|used = 
|demolished = 
|condition = Earthworks
|ownership = 
|open_to_public = 
|controlledby = 
|garrison = 
|current_commander = 
|commanders = 
|occupants = 
|battles = 
|events = 
|image2 = 
|caption2 = 
}}

'''Odell Castle''' was an 11th-century [castle](/source/castle) in the village of [Odell](/source/Odell%2C_Bedfordshire), in the county of [Bedfordshire](/source/Bedfordshire), [England](/source/England).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-21 |title=Odell Castle |url=https://bedsarchives.bedford.gov.uk/CommunityHistories/Odell/OdellCastle.aspx |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=Bedfordshire Archives}}</ref>

The land where Odell Castle stood was originally owned by Levenot, a [thegn](/source/thegn) of [King Edward the Confessor](/source/Edward_the_Confessor). At the time, the land and village were called Wahull. After the [Norman invasion](/source/Norman_conquest_of_England), [William the Conqueror](/source/William_the_Conqueror) gave the lands, manor, and title, to [Walter de Flandrensis](/source/Walter_of_Flanders%2C_1st_Baron_of_Wahull) (circa 1068). Walter was titled the Baron of Wahull, and was thus recorded as Walter de Wahul. De Wahul built a [motte-and-bailey](/source/motte-and-bailey) castle, with a stone [keep](/source/keep), on the land.  The family lived here for some 400 years.

In 1542, the title died out with the absence of a male heir and came into the possession of 17-year-old Agnes Woodhall, a descendant of de Wahul's. Upon her death in 1575 it passed to her son Richard Chetwood, who sold it to William Alston in 1633. The family were later created [Alston baronets](/source/Alston_baronets) of Odell. By the time of the sale, the castle was already in ruins. Alston built a new residence, incorporating the remains of the [keep](/source/keep), the oval motte of the old castle still held up by a retaining wall. Alterations were made by his descendants in the 18th century. It stayed as thus until 24 February 1931, when the manor burnt down. A new [manor house](/source/manor_house) was built on the site in 1962; it is currently owned by [Lord Luke](/source/Baron_Luke).

The old stones were used in the construction of the new manor, but otherwise there is little left of the original castle. Only [cropmarks](/source/cropmarks) and [earthworks](/source/Earthworks_(archaeology)) remain.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Odell Castle |url=http://www.ecastles.co.uk/odell.html |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=Castles and Fortifications of England and Wales}}</ref>

==See also==
*[Castles in Great Britain and Ireland](/source/Castles_in_Great_Britain_and_Ireland)
*[List of castles in England](/source/List_of_castles_in_England)

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/bedfordshire/castles/odell.htm Explore England]
*[http://www.odellvillage.co.uk/ Odell Village Website]
*[http://www.odellbeds.net/history.htm Odell History]
* [http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=346782 English Heritage Monument No. 346782]

Category:Castles in Bedfordshire
Category:British country houses destroyed in the 20th century

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