Reasons for Designation
Motte castles are medieval fortifications introduced into Britain by the
Normans. They comprised a large conical mound of earth or rubble, the motte,
surmounted by a palisade and a stone or timber tower. In a majority of
examples an embanked enclosure containing additional buildings, the bailey,
adjoined the motte. Motte castles and motte-and-bai1ey castles acted as
garrison forts during offensive military operations, as strongholds, and, in
many cases, as aristocratic residences and as centres of local or royal
administration. Built in towns, villages and open countryside, motte castles
generally occupied strategic positions dominating their immediate locality
and, as a result, are the most visually impressive monuments of the early
post-Conquest period surviving in the modern landscape. Over 600 motte castles
and motte-and-bailey castles are recorded nationally, with examples known from
most regions. Some 100-150 examples do not have baileys and are classified as
motte castles. As one of a restricted range of recognised early post-Conquest
monuments, they are particularly important for the study of Norman Britain and
the development of the feudal system. Although many were occupied for only a
short period of time, motte castles continued to be built and occupied from
the 11th to the 13th centuries, after which they were superseded by other
types of castle.
Details
This monument consists of the motte mound known as Bury Mount and the
earthwork banks and ditches which lie around it. The motte lies on the north-
east side of the town and is located in what was a corner of the Roman town.
The mound of the castle motte is approximately 4m high and 70m in diameter. It
is steep sided and bounded by the River Tove on its north-eastern side.
Remains of a substantial ditch 3m deep and 8m wide are visible on the west
side of the motte and indicate that originally the mound may have been
surrounded by a continuous ditch with access being gained by a bridge. On the
south side of the motte are the remains of an earthwork bank. At present the
site is covered with trees and dense undergrowth.
Records show that this area was the centre of extensive royal estate, and it
is considered that the castle was constructed by the Crown in the late 11th
century. The motte is known to have been altered during the Civil War by
Prince Rupert, and this could be the origin of the earthwork banks which lie
at the southern end of the mound.
All above ground buildings, that is the ruined brick cottage on the motte and
the outbuildings of the houses on Moat Lane and the store of the agricultural
engineering premises, and the made-up roadways are excluded from the
scheduling but the ground beneath these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13623
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
