Monument Type(s):

• SETTLEMENT (Late Saxon - 800 AD to 1066 AD)

Summary

The settlement of Hockleton was probably founded or taken over from the Welsh in the 8th or 9th century as part of the Mercian expansion.

Related records

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA6422 - 2010 geophysical survey at Hockleton Motte, Chirbury by Archaeological Surveys Ltd
• ESA6423 - 2010 Evaluation at Hockleton Farm Shropshire by SCAS
• ESA6477 - 2010 WB at Hockleton Farm Shropshire by SCAS
• ESA5524 - 1999-2000 Historic landscape characterisation of Bro Trefaldwyn (Ref: CPAT 761)
• ESA8358 - 2009 Conservation management plan for Motte and bailey castle 80m SE of Hockleton Farm, by Shropshire Council HET

Description

Recorded in the Domesday Book as Elchitun, Hockleton was probably founded or taken over from the Welsh in the 8th or 9th century as part of the Mercian expansion. However, the land attached to Hockleton was described as 'waste' at the time of the Norman conquest. It had probably suffered during Gruffudd ap Llywelyn's campaigns against the English in the 1040s, and was being used as a hunting ground by three Mercian nobles. Hockleton had not recovered by the time it was recorded in the Domesday Book <1>

Exact location of early settlement not established <2>

During a magnetometry survey some positive and negative linear anomalies were found within the area clearly relating to extant earthworks although very low magnitude linear and curvilinear anomalies in the vicinity are of uncertain origin. A negative linear anomaly leading from the edge of the motte ditch towards the farm yard correlates with a shallow holloway or track and may indicate the use of stone of low magnetic susceptibility as a surfacing material. Several discrete positive anomalies were located across the area and these may indicate former pit-like features. <3>

In February 2010 archaeological trial trenches were carried in connection with proposals to create a new farm track around the edge of Hockleton motte and bailey castle (PRN 01220), and to carry out repairs to erosion to the castle earthworks. An earthwork along the northern boundary of the possible medieval settlement area, tested by trench A, appeared to comprise partly of the natural topography and possibly partly from a slight holloway (PRN 21943) running from the northwestern corner of the field up through the castle bailey to the southern part of the field. There was no sign of a man-made bank in the trench, suggesting this earthwork was natural. The area has also been disturbed by modern activity, although one apparently modern pit did contain green glazed medieval pottery of 13th to 14th century date.->

->The evaluation elsewhere has demonstrated the potential and actual survival of below-ground medieval features, possibly associated with the settlement at Hockleton or with the motte and bailey castle (PRN 01220), including a pit/ditch (PRN 21940) which produced 3 conjoining sherds of medieval pottery of 12th -14th century date and a radiocarbon date from charcoal in its fill of mid to late 14th century date. The late date of these finds possibly relates to the abandoment or clearence of the motte and bailey site rather than its use. <4>

See PRN01220 for discussion of the interpretation of a second bailey in this area. <5>

<01> Britnell William J et 2 al, 2000, Bro Trefaldwyn historic landscape: historic landscape characterisation, p75-76 (Historic landscape survey report). SSA21363.

<02> Gathercole E Clare, 1999/ 2002, Comments by SMR compiler in SMR database, 14/09/2004 (SMR comment). SSA20725.

<03> Donaldson K T & Sabin D J, 2010, Hockleton Motte, Chirbury, Shropshire: Magnetometer Survey (Geophysical survey report). SSA23539.

<04> Hannaford Hugh R, 2010, An Archaeological Evaluation at Hockleton Farm, Shropshire (Excavation report). SSA23541.

<05> Wigley A, 2009, Management plan for…Mon. No. 19227 - Motte and bailey castle 80m south east of Hockleton Farm, p.5 (Management report). SSA29675.

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.