The village of Castle Rising is unusual in two respects. Firstly, it has not grown in size since its Saxon origins and secondly, it has connections with Kings and Queens, Prime Ministers, Saints and Archbishops and has- in small ways- influenced the course of English history.

Although there are some signs of Roman and earlier inhabitants in the area, the first appearance of a village structure as we know it today was during the Saxon period (sixth-eleventh centries). The is strong but circumstancial evidence that St. Felix, who brought Christianity to East Anglia, arrived at the Babingley river in the seventh century.

The name of the village is derived from the Saxon, Risinga, meaning "people of the Gorse" (Hrys), suggesting that the parish was located in an area of heathland. Another legacy from the Saxons is the establishment and location of the parish boundary. Its shape indicates that it was one of the largest parishes in the region and stretched from the seain the west to the upper mill on the Babingley River in the east and from the Babingley River to the north to beyond Knight's Hill and Royden Common in the south.

No Saxon buildings remain in the village today but the old church within the castle walls was probably started during the Saxon period and at the time of the Norman Conquest, the parish along with the several neighbouring parishes was in the ownership of Stigand, Archbishop of Canterbury. He was one of the most powerful men in England and is portrayed on the Bayeux Tapestry.

After the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror gave the parish first to his half brother Odo, also deplicted in the Bayeux Tapestry, and later to the Kings butler William D'Albini. The term "butler" had a much more elevated meaning in the Norman times and was one of the most senior members of William's entourage.