Motte-and-bailey castle
Controversy exists over the original purpose of the earthwork, particularly whether it was actually part of a castle site. Conventional wisdom states Risinghoe Castle was a timber Motte-and-bailey castle built sometime after the Norman Invasion of 1066. It is referred to as having been the property of Hugh de Beauchamp, the chief landowner in Goldington in 1086. The castle is mentioned as already being old by the end of the 12th century. It was probably obtained by Warden Abbey with the grange of Risinghoe and Puttenhoe Manor, with which it was conferred on Sir John Gostwick at the Dissolution (1538–1541), afterwards passing, with the rest of their property in Goldington, to John Russell, Duke of Bedford.