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| Name: | Bengeworth Castle, Evesham |
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| HER Reference: | WSM00277 |
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| Type of record: | Monument |
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| Grid Reference: | SP 040 436 |
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| Map Sheet: | SP04SW |
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| Parish: | Evesham, Wychavon, Worcestershire |
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Monument Types
- CEMETERY (MEDIEVAL - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- MOTTE AND BAILEY (MEDIEVAL - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- CASTLE (12TH CENTURY AD - 1135 AD to 1159 AD)
Associated Events
- Evaluation in 1995, 1 Port Street, Evesham (Ref: WSM21661)
- Late Medieval Sword, Bengeworth (Ref: WSM20726)
- Salvage Recording in 1994, 9 Port Street, Bengeworth, Evesham (Ref: WSM29904)
Protected Status
- Historic Environment Flood Risk Assessment (NHPP)
Full description
No castle recorded in Domesday Book. Bengeworth Castle, was episode in dispute from splitting of manor in the late 11th century, between Abbey and Bishops of Worcester (part not held by Abbey passed from d'Abitot to Beauchamps). In 1268 given by Beauchamps to Abbey. 1149-59 considerable friction between Beauchamps and Abbot. Excommunicated for robbing Abbey Church and destroying cemetery wall. Abbots forces defeated the Beauchamps, sacked castle and destroyed it down to its foundations. New cemetery consecrated on site. Site of castle still pointed out by name and ground contiguous to bridge at north-east angle. Considerable traces of moat were recently to be seen, at present arched over. Defences must have commenced at river's brink and have returned in opposite direction so that Avon defended stronghold in front and moat in flank and rear. [1][2][4]
1885: OS 1:500 shows line of north and east castle ditch earthworks marked as castle ditch (site of). East arm runs through 15 Port Street before crossing Castle Place. East arm turns corner to run westward at rear of 11 Port Street. [3]
Site of National Significance - considered for scheduling by English Heritage. [5]
Evaluation and Salvage Recording at 1 Port Street. [6]
This record includes National Record of the Historic Environment Information provided by Historic England on 9th April 2019 licensed under the Open Government Licence: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ [7]
(SP 04114367) Castle (NR) (Site of). Castle Ditch (NR) (Site of) [OS 1:500 1885] An adulterine castle was erected at the head of Bengeworth Bridge during Stephen's reign, but was destroyed to the foundations by Abbot William (1149-1159) of Evesham. A plot of ground adjacent to "the north-east angle" of the bridge was still known in the early part of the 19th century as 'the castle'. Considerable traces of the moat, connected to the Avon by its north and south ditches, were also to be seen though said to be arched over. [1906 edited by J W Willis-Bund and William Page 398-9, 1906 (N M Trenholme), History of Evesham 1834 100 (G May)][7]
Medieval wall and boundary ditches were identified during excavations in advance of building work at 1 Port Street in 1994. Finds of disarticulated human remains suggest a possible cemetery within the vicinity. (unknown source). [8]
This record includes National Record of the Historic Environment Information provided by Historic England on 9th April 2019 licensed under the Open Government Licence: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/. [8]
Sources and further reading
| <1> | Bibliographic reference: William Page. 1906. A History of the County of Worcestershire. II. Victoria County History. II. 397. |
| <2> | Bibliographic reference: May, G.. 1845. A descriptive history of the town of Evesham: from the foundation of its Saxon monastery with notices respecting the ancient deanery of its vale.. . |
| <3> | Map: Ordnance Survey. 2003. Digital 1st Edition OS Map (Original scale: 25"(1:2500)). Landmark Digital . 1880-1889. |
| <4> | Bibliographic reference: Shawcross J. 1927. Bengeworth : being some account of the history of the church and parish of Bengeworth in Evesham. Evesham Journal Press. DEWY 942.449. |
| <5> | List: 1998-1999. List of Nationally Important Sites. MPP List. |
| <6*> | Bibliographic reference: Napthan, M; Ratkai, S; Pearson, E. 1995. Evaluation & Salvage Recording at 1 Port Street, Evesham. Archaeological Service - Worcestershire County Council. Archaeological Service - Hereford And Worcester County Council. 275. |
| <7> | Internet Site: Historic England. 2019. National Record of the Historic Environment Monument Database. 2001, 2004. |
| <8> | Internet Site: Historic England. 2019. National Record of the Historic Environment Monument Database. 1174639 inserted 1998. |
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