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were superseded by other types of castle.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 Norman motte and bailey earthwork set on high ground
overlooking a tributary of the River Thames. It comprises a low flat-topped
motte 1.5m high and 20m across surrounded by a moat 0.5m deep and up to 7m
wide. To the north-west of the motte is a sub-circular bailey measuring
internally 37m from NE-SW and 26m from NW-SE. The bailey is defined both by
an earthen bank 1.5m high and a surrounding ditch 1m deep. This remains
water-filled on its south-west side.
The site is described by Aubrey, an antiquarian, as `a little citadel with a
keepe hill, both moated round'.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
12291
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
