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Monument Type(s):

• MOTTE AND BAILEY? (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• SIEGE CASTLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Summary

Has been assumed in the past to be the location of a siege castle. However, this is not supported by current evidence. The recorded features and dating evidence resulting from evaluation at Walter Wilder site did not meet the criteria for the possible presence of a siege castle.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds:

Description

(1) In 1153 Henry, son of Maud, besieged a fort which Stephen had erected opposite Wallingford Castle. Few extant remains - few earthwork ditches
(2 & 6) The 'ditch' alleged to have once formed part of the earthwork has for the most part been filled in but a fragment, 82m in length, survives at the west end. It is of very doubtful antiquity and is probably a comparatively modern drainage ditch. South of and at right angles to the Wallingford-Henley road there is a bank and ditch of feeble profile which occupies a position similar to those formerly north of the road but now destroyed. It is 60m in length and apparently continued in an easterly direction but it now fades out after 20m although its line may be indicated by the property boundary to houses south of the road which is also followed by a parish boundary. It may have formed part of Stephens Mount
(3) Crowmarsh Castle, 1146, built on 'impregnable site' made of wood; motte and bailey. End of second siege of Wallingford. 'A work of wondrous toil and skill' (Gervase of Canterbury). Duke Henry besieged castle in 1153, built defensive earthworks, probably ditch, and palisade round his force, then demolished it and withdrew to Berkshire side of river. Truce followed
(4) Identified as siege or counter castle constructed against Wallingford Castle during Stephen's Reign. Nothing remains of this fortification, constructed in 1142 and most important of counter-castles round Wallingford. There used to be a feature called Stephen's Mound, lying north of road and west of church, but site has been levelled for industrial purposes and is now covered by houses. Resisted assaults by Angevin forces in 1153. Its purpose described as preventing sorties and raids. Documentary and archaeological updates.
6) NB: All info on listing has been added to this record, so listing discarded.

<1> General reference, Timbs and Gunn: 'Abbeys, Castles and Ancient Halls of England and Wales' (undated) p.53 (Bibliographic reference). SOX373.

<2> Field Notes/Field Visit, A Clarke (1961) (Unpublished document). SOX261.

<3> Berks Archaeological Journal, Vol 58 (1960) pp.33, 38, 42. C F Clarke: 'Wallingford Castle in the Reign of Stephen' (Serial). SOX390.

<4> Oxford Architectural & Historical Society, Oxoniensia, Vol LX (1995) pp.257-270 (Serial). SOX284.

<5> OS Record Card, SU 68 NW 47 (Index). SOX273.

<6> NMR Monument - Long Listing Filed in Detailed Record File, SU 68 NW 47 (Index). SOX391.

<7> Thames Valley Archaeological Services, 1993, Walter Wilder Foundry: Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SOX1056.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 25" Map, (1912) Berks, Sheet XVI: II; (1921) Oxon Sheet XLIX: II (Map). SOX394.

Sources

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