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the 11th to the 13th centuries, after which they were superseded by other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 and bailey castle at Fotheringhay lies at the south eastern end of
the present village close to the River Nene. The castle consists of a
substantial earthwork motte, an inner bailey and the remains of the
outer bailey earthworks.
The motte is a steep-sided round mound approximately 7m high and about 70m in
diameter. The top of the mound is flattened and about 30m across with an
irregular surface, indicating the remains of the stone keep. A ditch up to
4m deep and 20m wide is visible on the north and west sides of the motte.
Originally this ditch is thought to have encircled the mound. A ditch of
similar size surrounds the inner and outer bailey areas. The inner bailey is
sub-rectangular and measures about 50m x 65m and retains traces of an
earthern rampart. At the north east corner of the outer bailey near the river
are the remains of a sluice gate associated with the water management system
of the bailey ditches. The outer bailey ditch on the north and west sides has
been largely infilled.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13641
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
