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were superseded by other types of castle.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 medieval motte and bailey castle at The Manwar Ings.
Situated approximately 1km to the north east of the village of Swineshead, it
is believed to have been constructed in the 12th century by the de Gresley
family, lords of the manor of Swineshead, who also founded Swineshead Abbey.
The castle is referred to in documentary sources of the late 12th and 13th
centuries, and artefactual fragments found nearby suggest that it was occupied
until at least the 14th century.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
22744
Legacy System:
RSM
End of official list entry
