Reasons for Designation
Motte and bailey 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-bailey 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 and
bailey 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 or motte-and-bailey castles are recorded nationally,
with examples known from most regions. 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were superseded by other types of castle.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 monument includes a motte and bailey castle situated at the south end of a
broad spur, adjacent to the Norman church of St George's. It survives as a
large flat-topped motte which measures 75m north-south by 65m east-west and is
c.9m in height. Surrounding the motte is a waterfilled ditch 10m wide with a
5m wide causeway to the south-east. To the north and east of the motte is the
L-shaped bailey which is still surrounded on its north-western and
north-eastern sides by a dry ditch, 14m wide and 4m deep. Within the
projected area of the bailey, just east of the motte, is a square-shaped
landscaped mound 22m across and c.3.5m high. It is surrounded by a dry ditch
about 8m wide and 3m deep. Its position and shape are incongruous with the
bailey and it is considered to be a later ornamental addition.
In 1902 excavations carried out by R T Andrews on the eastern edge of the
motte summit revealed a trapezoidal foundation of flint dug c.46cm deep into
the boulder clay. Fragments of tile and 13th century pottery were also found.
The castle is attributed to Eustace, Count of Cologne, who held the manor at
Domesday. In 1218 Nicholas de Anstey was ordered to reduce his castle which
was in the king's hands in 1225.
The bungalow, paths and the swimming pool are excluded from the scheduling
although the land beneath the bungalow and paths is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20650
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals 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
