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the 11th to the 13th centuries, after which they were superseded by other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 monument is situated in a dingle thought to have been one of the ancient
trackways utilised by the Welsh in their frequent raids into southern
Cheshire. It consists of a well preserved motte 4-5m high and a D-shaped
moated enclosure separated by a small tributary of the River Dee and also a
modern minor road.
The motte, which lies in the loop of the stream offering defence to the N
and W, is protected by a partly waterlogged/silted ditch on its SW, S and E
sides, beyond which is an outer bank. There is no evidence of a bailey
immediately attached to this motte. However, 30m to the E lies a D-shaped
moated enclosure measuring 54m W-E and surrounded on all sides except the S
by a dry ditch.
A causeway crosses the ditch and gives access to the platform at the NE.
Earthworks consisting of banks and a ditch are conspicuous on the platform.
The monument was originally constructed by the Barons of Malpas c.1100 in an
attempt to protect the region from frequent Welsh raids.
The monument comprises two separate protected areas. All hedges and fences
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:
13422
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
