Pastscape[1] says the castle was supposed to be parts of the castle of Hugh Bardolf, a justiciar in the reign of Richard I. It does not say he built it, but it does put the date at 11th & 12th century. Richard reigned from 6 July 1189 to 6 April 1199, but Bardolf held the office also under Henry II.
However CastleUK[2] gives the names Ansgot of Burwell or Ralph de la Haye for the builder, but without citation. The same names appear in the Lincolnshire Historic Environment record[3] and in the NHLE which gives 1157 as the latest date of acquisition by Bardolph, and detail besides.[4]
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