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to the moated mound, but most of it probably fell down and
had to be replaced.* (Plan No. 1)
Earl Warren is stated to have "transferred"
Allington to Lord Fitz-Hugh, about whom I know nothing as yet. From him it
descended, as in its case has so often happened, to a daughter. She
married a certain Sir Giles, who took the name of the place and is called
Sir Giles de Allington. William de Elinton may have been his son. William’s
widow and three children, under age, are mentioned in the Pipe Roll, 13
Henry II. (1167). This William was no doubt the builder of the adulterine
castle† which was the next building we have to consider. Philipott (in
1659) writes that Darrell and Mersh do assert that Allington Castle
"was erected by William de Columbariis or Columbers." This
William Columbers was without doubt the same as William .de Elinton,
perhaps son of Sir Giles. This castle was destroyed in 1174-5 by order of
Henry II., the Pipe Roll of 21st Henry II. containing the following entry,
"In prosternendo Castello de Alintone 60s."
The foundations of a semicircular tower and adjacent
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rooms, which
doubtless formed part of the keep of this Columbers Castle, were excavated
by me in the south courtyard of the existing castle, and I have caused
them to be marked out on the surface of the ground by cementing them over.‡
Where the walls were not bonded together I had a row of tiles inserted
edgewise, which can easily be traced in the cement surface. The
characteristic of these foundations is the heavy buttressing they display,
the buttresses having been built against and not bonded into the wall. The
plan of the Columbers keep is manifestly incomplete. Part of the existing
south wall of the castle, adjoining the
* The lines of this "original" or "old
boundary wall," partly rebuilt, partly indicated by foundations
discovered, are shewn on the "General Plan." On the west side
the lines are "conjectural."
† Castra adulterina, or castles erected without licence of the
sovereign, had sprung up in great number in the troubled reign of Stephen.
The treaty of Wallingford provided for their destruction, which was
carried out by Henry II.; but Allington was not overthrown till
later than the general destruction.
‡ See the parts of the "Historical Plan" coloured grey.
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