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Designations

Grid Reference:	SU 577 907
Parish:	BRIGHTWELL-CUM-SOTWELL, SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE, OXFORDSHIRE

Monument Type(s):

• CASTLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1153 AD)
• MOAT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1153 AD)

Summary

Siege or counter castle constructed against Wallingford Castle during Stephen's reign.

Associated Monuments

• None

Associated Finds:

• None

Description

1) Three sides of an irregularly quadrangular moat remain around the Manor House which is also the site of the castle mentioned in 1153 and probably demolished by Henry II. The moat, which must have enclosed the church and rectory, has a large mound in the south west corner.
2) Only two sides of the moat are recognisable as such, the third, east side being little more than a ditch. The mound in the south west, 0.7m high, is probably constructed of dredgings from the moat and is now an ornamental feature. No trace of the castle, presumably a motte, is to be seen in the grounds of the present house. Published siting cannot be confirmed.
3) Within the moat is doubtless the site of the Norman castle which was delivered up by King Stephen to Duke Henry after the Civil War and 'was probably then demolished'.
4) Identified as siege or counter castle constructed against Wallingford Castle during Stephen's reign.
5) Site has been classified as a moat for MPP because castle has been completely destroyed (?c.1153 by Henry II) and cannot be identified by type whereas the moat survives.
6) NB: All info from listing has been added to this record, so listing discarded.




<1a> Magna Britannia, Vol I (Berks) p.250 (Monograph). SOX946.

<1> Victoria County History of Berkshire, Vol I (1906) p.269 (Serial). SOX6.

<2> Field Notes/Field Visit, J Palmer (1963) (Unpublished document). SOX261.

<3> Victoria County History of Berkshire, Vol III, p.464 (Serial). SOX6.

<4> Oxford Architectural & Historical Society, Oxoniensia, Vol 60 (1995), pp.258-260 (Serial). SOX284.

<5> MPP Documents for Oxfordshire, S Lisk, 20.11.92 (Index). SOX259.

<6> NMR Monument - Long Listing Filed in Detailed Record File, SU 59 SE 68 (Index). SOX391.

<7> RCHME, 1993, Thames Gravels Survey (Map). SOX290.

Sources

<1>	Victoria County History of Berkshire. Vol I (1906) p.269. [Serial / SOX6]
<1a>	Magna Britannia. Vol I (Berks) p.250. [Monograph / SOX946]
<2>	Field Notes/Field Visit. J Palmer (1963). [Unpublished document / SOX261]
<3>	Victoria County History of Berkshire. Vol III, p.464. [Serial / SOX6]
<4>	Oxford Architectural & Historical Society. Oxoniensia. Vol 60 (1995), pp.258-260. [Serial / SOX284]
<5>	MPP Documents for Oxfordshire. S Lisk, 20.11.92. [Index / SOX259]
<6>	NMR Monument - Long Listing Filed in Detailed Record File. SU 59 SE 68. [Index / SOX391]
<7>XY>	RCHME. 1993. Thames Gravels Survey. [Mapped feature: #51608 moat, ] [Map / SOX290]

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