Reasons for Designation
Ringworks are medieval fortifications built and occupied from the late
Anglo-Saxon period to the later 12th century. They comprised a small
defended area containing buildings which wad surrounded or partly
surrounded by a substantial ditch and a bank surmounted by a timber
palisade or, rarely, a stone wall. Occasionally a more lightly
defended embanked enclosure, the bailey, adjoined the ringwork.
Ringworks acted as strongholds for military operations and in some cases
as defended aristocratic or manorial settlements. They are rare
nationally with only 200 recorded examples and less than 60 with
baileys. As such, and as one of a limited number and very restricted
range of Anglo-Saxon and Norman fortifications, ringworks are of
particular significance to our understanding of the period.
Castle Haugh ringwork survives well, its earthworks being particularly
evident. The lack of subsequent occupation of the site means buried
structural remains and environmental evidence are likely to survive
well.
Details
Castle Haugh ringwork, known locally as Cromwell's Basin, occupies the
NW end of a tongue of high ground overlooking the River Ribble and
commands extensive views to the NE and SE.
The monument comprises a circular mound 5-6m high artificially raised
above the external ground level. It is surrounded for much of its
circumference by a dry ditch 2m deep. An earthen breastwork runs around
the summit of the mound on all sides except the W.
All fences on the monument are excluded from the scheduling, however,
the ground beneath them is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13414
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
