Monument Type(s):

• MOTTE AND BAILEY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1540 AD)

Summary

Scheduled Monument: Despite some later disturbance, this is still a good example of a medieval motte (earthwork castle).

Related records: None recorded

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA1264 - 1953 field observation by English Heritage
• ESA1265 - 1971 field observation by the Ordnance Survey
• ESA1266 - 1979 field observation by English Heritage
• ESA1267 - 1983 field observation by English Heritage

Description

Motte 20ft high from ground level, was probably 50ft across at the top, although it has been partially destroyed on the NE by the construction of the church <1a>
The motte is 8m high and is surrounded by a ditch 1m deep. To the N and NW a scarp slope 1m high is all that remains of the bailey. OS FI 1971 <1>

(1908) 29ft above lowest part of base, and is surrounded, except to the east, by a ditch 5ft deep. Bailey, marked by a faint scarp, has been partially destroyed by the destruction of the church <4a>

Evaluated for MPP in 1990-1, Low score as one of 46 Motte and Bailey castles <9>

Scheduling revised in 2000. Scheduling description: ->

-> The monument includes the surviving extent of the earthwork and buried remains of a motte and bailey castle, situated in an area of gently undulating land at the top of a south west facing slope. From this location there are commanding views of the surrounding area in all directions. The castle lies 860m north west of another motte castle to the south west of Bretchel, which is the subject of a separate scheduling. ->

-> The flat-topped, steep sided oval motte measures approximately 30m by 34m at its base, 9m by 12m across the top and stands about 8m high. It is surrounded by a ditch, the northern half of which survives as a visible earthwork up to lm deep. A cottage, which is not included in the scheduling, has been inserted into the tail of the southern part of the motte and the ditch. The bailey lies immediately north of the ditch encircling the motte. Internally, it is approximately 60m long and up to 30m wide and is defined on the eastern side by a scarp 1.2m high and on the north western and south western sides by low banks up to O.5m high. Although no longer visible at ground level, a ditch approximately 3m wide, surrounds these banks. It has become infilled over the years but survives as a buried feature. ->

-> There are a number of features which are excluded from the scheduling: these are the boundary wall adjoining Beacon Cottage running south west -north east, the associated garden walls and the walls revetting the motte which surround the northern and eastern sides of Beacon Cottage, the 19th century cast iron water pump, garden sheds, fencing, the dog kennel, the former garage to the east of the bailey and the telegraph poles, although the ground beneath all these features is included. <10>

Photographed during aerial survey 2008-2010. <11>-<14>

The earthwork remains of the Motte and Bailey described by the previous authorities were seen centred at SJ 3290 1227 and mapped from aerial photographs. Immediately to the north is a field of ridge and furrow centred at SJ 3296 1244 which may be associated with the motte and bailey. NMR SJ 3212/9-10 03-JAN-1986. <15>

Sources

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