Middle Ages to Post-Reformation.       

After the Romans left things remained quiet until the Middle Ages (around the 11th and 12th Centuries).

At this time a special type of defensive castle was built at Seabegs called a 'motte and bailey' castle.

It would have looked like this but probably much smaller.

Notice the ditch surrounding the higher land in the middle.

The castle would have been built on top surrounded by a high fence.

Both the castle and fence were made of wood and can no longer be seen, but the hill can still be seen near Singer's Place. It is only about 9 feet high now, but used to be over 20 feet and was at least 60 feet long and 40 feet wide.

The hill used to be called Chapel Hill as it was near the site of the first Catholic Chapel in Bonnybridge - called St Helen's.

You can see where the 'motte' is from this map - it is just behind Antonine Primary School.

St Helen's Chapel was probably built about the year 1200 and was used for 300 years until the end of the 16th Century. After the Reformation (around 1560) the church fell into disuse and was finally demolished in 1967 - more than 750 years (and one Reformation) later!

After the Reformation there was no other church in Bonnybridge until 1877 when the present Protestant church was opened on the 11th November. More information about the Bonnybridge Church can be found HERE.

It is interesting to note that, after a series of name changes, Bonnybridge Parish Church is now known as Bonnybridge St Helen's Church, linking its name back to the old pre-Reformation church up by the motte and bailey castle.