A SEARCH has been launched for information about the site of a mystery castle after archaeological excavations sparked renewed interest in a market town’s past.

There has long been a theory that Bedale, which was originally granted a market charter in 1251 and was mentioned in the Magna Carta, had a castle, possibly standing somewhere near St Gregory’s Church and what was later to become Bedale Hall.

It is mentioned on a map dated October 1918 of the Outlying Portions of the Bedale Hall Estate, but no trace has ever been found and there are no other known documents which mention it.

Recent excavations along the route of a new £34 million bypass for Bedale, Aiskew and Leeming Bar revealed the site of a Roman villa dating back to the third or fourth century and following that dig the site is now being covered over.

Amateur historian William Hare says it would have been better to have preserved the site as a potential tourist attraction but North Yorkshire County Council said it was too close to the route of the new road.

Now Mr Hare is hoping to find out more about other potential sites of interest such as the castle.

He said: “We really would have liked to have linked the find of the Roman Villa into the history of Bedale, at the moment our oldest building is St Gregory’s Church which is 1100s.

“Aerial photography may identify old road systems from Eboracum - Roman York - and Cataractonium - Roman Catterick- into Bedale.

“There are remains of old bridge footings across Bedale Beck. Old field layouts, and of course other habitations might well be all around.

"Aerial photography and geophysical work could bring other discoveries to light."

The recent discovery of Richard III’s body has also rekindled theories about his great friend Francis Lord Lovell, Lord of Bedale until 1487 when Henry VII seized his estates. With previous Lords Sir Alan Fitzbrian and Sir Brian Fitzalan, it has long been believed Bedale had a castle for such high status residents.

The Beresford Peirse family later took over the land and title, building Bedale Hall.

Mr Hare, and other enthusiasts are keen to see further work done through research and excavations if possible and are approaching English Heritage.

“This is extremely important, in the future Bedale could depend on tourism and history plays a huge part in that,” he said.