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Designations

Grid Reference:	SP 496 288
Parish:	SOMERTON, CHERWELL, OXFORDSHIRE

Monument Type(s):

• CASTLE? (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• CHAPEL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• DOVECOTE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• INHUMATION (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Summary

There is a traditon that the school stands on the site of the inner court of a castle. Fourteen inhumations found in grounds of elementary school.

Associated Monuments

• None

Associated Finds:

• None

Description

2) Site of medieval castle of the De Greys field NE of church has mounds and fishponds. In 1295 an extent mentions its court, dovecote, fishponds, curtilages and gardens. Presumably uninhabited in C16th but chapel in castle yard may be still standing in 1580. School on site.
3) Not classified as a castle for MPP. Documentary evidence insufficient for MPP evaluation.
9) There are several references to a 'castle' at Somerton, including a tradition that the school stands on the site of the inner court of a castle [Oxoniensia Vols 17-18 (1952-3) p.218]. Field work indicated that the western part of the site was obscured by construction of the railway in 1850 but there could have been a motte and bailey with the motte buried under the railway embankment, or it could have been a simple moated enclosure with the lower western moat lying parallel to the river Cherwell.




<1a> General reference, Blomfield: 'Deanery of Bicester' part IV, pp.90,93,152 (Bibliographic reference). SOX373.




<1> Oxford Architectural & Historical Society, Oxoniensia, Vols XVII/XVIII (1952/3) p.218 (Serial). SOX284.




<2> Victoria County History of Oxford, Vol 6 (1959) p.290 (Serial). SOX252.




<3> MPP Documents for Oxfordshire, S Lisk, 18.11.92 (Index). SOX259.




<4> OS Record Card, SP 42 NE 10 (Index). SOX273.




<5> Slide Cabinet, 1 of earthworks taken by M Aston in 1973 (Photograph). SOX303.




<6> Black and White print photographs, 1 aerial view taken in 1973 by Helicopter Training School and 3 views from ground by M Aston in 1973 (Photograph). SOX315.




<7> HER Map Cabinet, Plan of earthworks and possible reconstructions of site as motte & bailey and moated site (1973) (Graphic material). SOX326.




<8> Oxford Architectural & Historical Society, Oxoniensia, Vols 17-18 (1952-3) p.218 (Serial). SOX284.




<9> CBA South Midlands Group, South Midlands Archaeology, CBA9 NL 4 (1974) p.16 (Serial). SOX5.

Sources

<1>	Oxford Architectural & Historical Society. Oxoniensia. Vols XVII/XVIII (1952/3) p.218. [Serial / SOX284]
<1a>	General reference. Blomfield: 'Deanery of Bicester' part IV, pp.90,93,152. [Bibliographic reference / SOX373]
<2>	Victoria County History of Oxford. Vol 6 (1959) p.290. [Serial / SOX252]
<3>	MPP Documents for Oxfordshire. S Lisk, 18.11.92. [Index / SOX259]
<4>	OS Record Card. SP 42 NE 10. [Index / SOX273]
<5>	Slide Cabinet. 1 of earthworks taken by M Aston in 1973. [Photograph / SOX303]
<6>	Black and White print photographs. 1 aerial view taken in 1973 by Helicopter Training School and 3 views from ground by M Aston in 1973. [Photograph / SOX315]
<7>	HER Map Cabinet. Plan of earthworks and possible reconstructions of site as motte & bailey and moated site (1973). [Graphic material / SOX326]
<8>	Oxford Architectural & Historical Society. Oxoniensia. Vols 17-18 (1952-3) p.218. [Serial / SOX284]
<9>	CBA South Midlands Group. South Midlands Archaeology. CBA9 NL 4 (1974) p.16. [Serial / SOX5]

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