Conington Castle

Description

Site of Conington Castle, a three storey, stone-built house which was demolished in 1953. The house was roughly L-shaped in plan, with wings to the south and east. The south wing was probably mid 16th century in date, while the east wing was added in the early 17th century, possibly incorporating stone from Fotheringay or Maxey Castles. The house had fallen into ruin by the beginning of the 18th century and was partially demolished and converted into a farmhouse. Restoration work was carried out in 1800 and again in 1840. (PastScape)

Cunnington, holden anciently of the Honour of Huntingdon: where within a foure square trench are to be seene exprese remains of an ancient castle, which, as also Saltrie, was by the gift of Canutus the seat of Turkill, that Dane who abode heere among the East English and sent for Sueno King of Denmarke to make spoile of England. After whose departure, Waldeof the sonne of Siward Earle of Northumberland enjoied it, who married Judith niece to William the Conqueror by his sister on the mothers side: by whose eldest daughter it came to the royall family of Scotland. For she, by a second marriage, matched with David Earle of Huntingdon (who afterwards obtained the Kingdome of Scotland), being the younger sonne of Malcolm Can-mor King of Scots, and of Margaret his wife, descended of the royall line of the English Saxons. For she was niece to King Edmond Iron-side by his sonne Edward surnamed The Banished. David had a sonne named Henrie, and Henrie had another named David Earle of Huntingdon, by one of whose daughters, Isabell, Cunnington and other lands by right of marriage descended to Sir Robert Bruse: from whose eldest sonne Robert, surnamed the Noble, James King of Great Britaine lineally deriveth his descent; and from Bernard his younger sonne, unto whom this Cunnington with Exton fell, Sir Robert Cotton Knight is lineally descended; who over and beside other vertues, being a singular lover and sercher of antiquities, having gathered with great charges from all places the monuments of venerable antiquitie (Camden)

Comments

It was the principal mansion of the Cotton Family, built mostly by Sir Robert early in the C17 although had parts dating from mid C16 and possibly of earlier origin. Camden mention of a moat (four square trench) seems genuine but the history given to him by Cotton seems fanciful.
NB In modern Cambridgeshire there are two villages called Conington, both associated with the Cotton family.