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the 11th to the 13th centuries, after which they were superseded by other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.
Castle Hill motte castle survives well as a series of earthwork and buried
deposits. These remains will preserve evidence of the form of the
fortifications, and the artifically raised ground will preserve evidence of
land use prior to the construction of the motte. The association of the motte
castle with the medieval manor of Hanby contributes to an understanding of the
development of the medieval landscape.
Details
The monument includes the earthwork and buried remains of a medieval motte
castle, known as Castle Hill, located 250m east of Hanby Hall Farm. In 1086
land at Welton le Marsh was held by Gilbert de Gant, and during the 13th
century, by Jolanus de Hamby. The motte is associated with the medieval manor
of Hanby.
The motte takes the form of a large mound, approximately 5m high, enclosed by
a ditch. The motte is subrectangular in plan, measuring 50m by 40m at its
base, with rounded corners and steep sides to the north and east. The top of
the motte measures up to 30m in length, sloping gently down to the south west;
a level platform, 10m in width, at north eastern corner may indicate
post-medieval alteration. The ditch enclosing the motte on the east and north
sides is visible as a depression measuring up to 6m in width and up to 0.5m
deep. The southern ditch arm has been infilled but survives as a buried
feature visible on aerial photographs. The western arm has been partly
infilled and is now marked by a shallow depression. A low bank marks the outer
edge of the north western corner of the ditch.
MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.
