 The origin and dates of construction of the castle are uncertain.It is thought that it was initially an earth-and-timber construction, possibly built by Robert de Alford in the mid-12th century, in the time of Henry II.However, archaeological evidence of the date is lacking and it may have been significantly earlier, as there are some sources who claim that the castle had been built much earlier, as its command was handed over to Robertus, one of the descendants de Bigod in 1160.