Monument Type(s):

• MOTTE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1540 AD)
• WATCH TOWER (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1540 AD)

Summary

Scheduled Monument: A small medieval motte castle (an earthwork mound) overlooking Weston, probably the site of a small structure such as a watchtower.

Related records

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA1488 - 1815 excavation
• ESA1489 - 1962 field observation by the Ordnance Survey
• ESA1490 - 1970 field observation by English Heritage
• ESA1491 - 1978 field observation by Shropshire County Council
• ESA1492 - 1979 field observation by English Heritage
• ESA1493 - 1980 field observation by English Heritage
• ESA1494 - 1983 field observation by English Heritage

Description

Possibly a C18 folly, but the ditch is improbable in this case. Sides too steep for gazebo platform and there is no ramp. Barrow or windmill mound interpretations were also rejected. Position on summit of minor hill and proximity to site of medieval chapel suggest a motte, possibly the predecessor of Red Castle. (SA 1140). OS FI 1962. "The Mount is removed from the eccentricities of Hawkstone Park and cannot be directly associated with them. It has not the appearance of a barrow or a windmill mound. Its sides are too steep to be a gazebo platform and there is no ramp. Had it been a folly one would not expect a ditch at its base. The mound crowns a minor hill and has the appearance of a motte. Its size, steep sides and proximity to the site of a Mediaeval Chapel are in keeping with such a classification - though the ditch is weak. It may be the site of the predecessor of Red Castle. There is no trace of a bailey. Please see annotated resurvey." <1>

Mound known as the Kill-yards in early C19. In c1815 a mound was dug into at Weston and foundations of a small oblong building were discovered. The walls were double; in the space between them bones are said to have been found <2a>
Mound 18ft high with a basin shaped summit, 4ft deep; around the base of the scarp is a fosse 4ft deep on the NW, but filled to within a foot on the SW. (1908) <2b>

The mound, which is almost certainly a motte, is in good condition as described. The surrounding area is under intermittent cultivation. No trace of bailey. I Burrow FI 1978 <3>

Evaluated for MPP in 1990-1, Medium score as one of 43 Motte castles <6>

Scheduling revised in 2001. Scheduling description: ->

-> The monument includes the earthwork and buried remains of a motte castle, occupying an elevated position with commanding views of the north Shropshire plain and the hills of the Welsh borderland beyond. It is situated 820m to the south west of Red Castle, which is the subject of a separate scheduling. The flat-topped, steep-sided circular motte measures approximately 30m at its base and between 15m to 18m across the top, and stands about 4.2m high. The size of the motte indicates that it was only large enough to support a small structure such as a watchtower. The motte is surrounded by a ditch about 7m wide, which on the eastern side is visible as a shallow depression 0.5m deep. To the north and west this ditch has been infilled, but will survive as a buried feature. Two depressions on the top and on the south eastern side of the motte are the result of quarrying for earth in modern times. All fence posts are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath them is included <7>

Sources

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