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| Name: | THE HILLS, motte & bailey castle |
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| HER No.: | 369 |
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| Type of Record: | Monument |
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Summary
Motte with double outer bailey, reported to have been besieged by Stephen in 1138. Probably superseded by moated site adjacent. The whole complex, with the church, sits within an outer rectangular enclosure, the outline of which is clearly reflected in the historic field boundaries
Full Description
The site known as "The Hills" is a motte, with two baileys located to the north east of the motte. The motte is an earth mound approx 25m in diameter and 5m high from the base of the encircling ditch; the ditch is 10m wide and approx 1m in depth. The mound would have held a wooden tower. The inner bailey is in the form of an island, fortified by an extension of the motte ditch, and is kidney-shaped in plan, measuring approx 50m by 20m; it is raised to a height of 2-2.5m above the base of the ditch. The outer bailey is separated from the inner by a 10m wide ditch. It is larger than the inner bailey, roughly triangular in shape, and measures approx 60m by 40m. It is also lower than the inner bailey, only 1m above the base of the ditch, but with a bank up to 1m high on its north eastern side. The height difference would enable defenders on the motte to have a clear line of sight. The defensive ditch continues around the eastern side of the bailey, and at its north eastern corner are the remains of a leat whichh would have supplied water to the ditch. A length of the leat 8m long survives; it is 3m wide and 1m deep.
The castle is thought to date from the reign of Stephen (1135-1154 AD) and to have been besieged by him during the siege of Bedford. The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (No. 20417).
There is a 17th century manor house a short distance to the north east, but no indication of a medieval house.
Protected Status:
- Scheduled Monument 20417: "The Hills" motte and baileys
- SHINE: Medieval village and castle at The Hills
Monument Types
- CASTLE (12th Century - 1100 AD to 1199 AD)
- DITCH (12th Century - 1100 AD to 1199 AD)
- MOAT (12th Century - 1100 AD to 1199 AD)
- MANOR HOUSE (17th Century - 1600 AD to 1699 AD)
Associated Finds
- FBD3740 - ANIMAL REMAINS (Small quantity) (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- FBD3739 - KNIFE (1) (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
- FBD5529 - POT (Small quantity) (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
Associated Events: None recorded
Sources and Further Reading
| --- | SBD10508 - Slide: HER Slide Archive. 3839-3840 |
| --- | SBD10543 - Bibliographic reference: Bedfordshire Magazine. Vol 8, Winter 1962-1963, p 271 |
| --- | SBD10544 - Newspaper Article: Bedfordshire Times. 16/3/1906 |
| --- | SBD10574 - Article in serial: 1908. Victoria County History, Bedfordshire. Vol 1, pp 295-296 |
| --- | SBD10593 - Aerial Photograph: Cambridge AP index. LJ 57-58 (22/4/1953) TL 133358 |
| --- | SBD10597 - Bibliographic reference: Post Office Directory. 1864 |
| --- | SBD10628 - Cartographic materials: 1901, 1902. OS 25" 2nd edition. TL 1332 3582 |
| --- | SBD10689 - Unpublished document: D & S Lysons. 1806. Magna Britannica. Bedfordshire. I, p 116 |
| --- | SBD10706 - Bibliographic reference: Wadmore. 1920. Earthworks of Bedfordshire. pp 109-111 |
| --- | SBD10803 - Scheduling record: English Heritage. SAM record form. Monument No 20417 |
| --- | SBD10961 - Unpublished document: C C Taylor. C C Taylor. Earthwork survey,25/3/1980, with Beds CC |
| --- | SBD11053 - Unpublished document: OS: TL 13. TL 13 NW 2 |
| --- | SBD11055 - Unpublished document: DoE/MPBW Ancient Monument Record. County Monument 16 |
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