 During period known as The Anarchy (1138–1153) the Mauduit family, who owned the castle at that time, supported Empress Matilda against King Stephen.In disputes between King John and the barons, Robert Mauduit sided with the barons against the king.In the autumn of 1215 Faulkes de Breauté, general of King John, attacked the castle and destroyed it, taking the manor of Hanslope.