Monument Type(s):

• BARROW? (Bronze Age - 2600 BC? to 700 BC?)
• MOTTE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1540 AD)
• WATCH TOWER? (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1540 AD)

Summary

Scheduled Monument: An unusually small example of a medieval motte (earthwork castle), with steep, stepped sides, this may have been the site of a watchtower rather than a castle.

Related records: None recorded

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA2920 - 1968 field observation by the Ordnance Survey
• ESA2921 - 1992 field observation by Shropshire County Council

Description

In the churchyard at Middleton are two mounds on which are standing two very old yew trees <1a>
An oval tumulus reported by the Rev JR Burton 11th Dec 1924. He has an old photograph showing two mounds, one small <1b>
Motte?. A most unlikely site for a barrow. OS Records comment 1968. This feature consists of a nearly circular mound some 20m across and 2.7m high, with a smaller, flat topped mound adjoining it to the NE . It has the appearance of a small motte, and stands upon the highest point of land hereabouts, with a commanding view in all directions. OS FI 1968 <1>

In July 1992 H Thomas visited the site to assess the damage being done to the earthworks by badgers. He found that there was no significant damage to the minor degraded mound in the Churchyard, but that damage was being done to the more prominent mound to the north of the Churchyard. He supported the use of humane methods to persuade the badgers to move on. He also suggested that the fence dividing the mound from the cornfield be moved a little to the north in order to prevent plough damage to the base of the mound and any former ditch <2>

Evaluated for MPP in 1990-1, Low score as one of 46 Motte and Bailey castles <3>

Scheduled in 2000. Scheduling description: ->

-> The monument includes the earthwork and buried remains of a motte castle constructed on a south east facing slope on high ground overlooking the valley of Ledwyche Brook. It lies to the north west of Middleton Chapel, built in the 12th century and not included in the scheduling. ->

-> The motte was constructed of earth and is oval in plan, and measures approximately 18m by 32m and stands up to 3.5m high. It has a distinct stepped profile, which is believed to be original although the mound may have been subject to later modification. The south western half of the motte is about 2m higher than the portion to the north east, and the southern and eastern sides here are particularly steep. ->

-> The size of the motte suggests it was only large enough to support a watch tower. Although no longer visible at ground level, a ditch from which material was quarried during the construction of the monument, surrounds the mound. This has become infilled over the years but will survive as a buried feature, approximately 5m wide. ->

-> All fences, the gate post, associated walls, and the surface of the road leading to Middleton Chapel where it falls within the area of the monument are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath them is included <4>

Photographed during aerial survey in 2008. <5>

<00> Shropshire County Council SMR, Site and Monuments Record (SMR) cards, SMR Card for PRN SA 03226 (Card index). SSA20722.

<01a> Anon, 1868, Journal of the British Archaeological Association, p103 (Volume). SSA8335.

<01b> Chitty Lily F, 1926, Map annotation by OS Correspondent (Map annotation). SSA8337.

<01> Ordnance Survey, 1968, Ordnance Survey Record Card SO57NW7 (Card index). SSA8338.

<02> Thomas Harley O, 1992, Correspondence, 04/08/1992 (Correspondence). SSA8336.

<03> Horton Wendy B, 1990/ 1991, MPP Evaluation File (TEXT). SSA20084.

<04> English Heritage, 2000, Scheduling Papers (New Scheduling, 03/07/2000) (Scheduled Monument notification). SSA21313.

<05> Shropshire Council, 2008-Jul-26, SA0811_096 to SA0811_097 (2 photos) Flight: 08_SA_11 (Oblique aerial photograph). SSA25373.

Sources

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