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the 11th to the 13th centuries, after which they were superseded by other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
The motte castle south of Cock Lane is situated on a ridge 1.7km west of the
River Lea and includes a mound 20m in diameter and c.3m high. Surrounding the
mound is a dry ditch 8m wide and c.2.5m deep and, beyond that, a slight bank
1m wide and c.0.3m high. On the eastern side of the ditch is a modern
causeway about 8m wide. The mound was subjected to limited excavation in 1901
by J Evans when a few pieces of pottery and a quern stone were found along
with some charred remains. The hollow in the top of the motte extending down
its southern side shows the extent of the excavation. Local legend believes
that this is the location of the burial of Oddo, the eponym of Hoddesdon.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20669
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Other
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
