| Summary : Ringwork and bailey or motte and bailey. The oval shaped ringwork measures, overall, 36 metres north to south by 29 metres east to west, and comprises an earth and stone rampart increasing in width, north to south from 4 to 16 metres, and in height from 1 to 2 metres externally, 2.5 metres internally. The bailey is also oval in plan and surrounds the ringwork on all but the north side, where its perimeter verges with it. It measures 58 metres north to south by 55 metres east to west and comprises an outward facing scarp, increasing in height from 0.3 metres on the south west side to 1.5 metres on the north east side. Scheduled. |
More information : (SO 29593567) Whitehouse Camp (NAT) Earthwork (NR) (1)
"Earthwork, called the Camp, an oval enclosure surrounded by a
rampart which at the E end has a broad, flat top. The enclosure
stands on a rough terrace or platform of irregular oval shape, the
scarp of which joins the rampart at the N end of the enclosure. The purpose of this earthwork is uncertain but it was probably a
defensive post of some kind, though certainly not a camp as its name would imply." (2)
A probable ring work and bailey situated upon the highest part of a ridge overlooking wide valleys to the NE and SW.
The oval shaped ringwork measures, overall, 36.0m N-S by 29.0m E-W, and comprises an earth-and-stone rampart increasing in width, N-S, from 4.0 to 16.0m, and in height from 1.0 to 2.0m externally, 2.5m internally (this difference being due to the level interior compared with the gentle N slope of the outside ground level).
There is a narrow (? original) entrance through the rampart on the N side.
The bailey, likewise oval in plan, surrounds the ringwork on all but the N side, where its perimeter verges with it. It measures 58.0m N-S by 55.0m E-W and comprises an outward facing scarp, increasing in height from 0.3m on the SW side to 1.5m on the NE side. The site is under long grass, nettles and a few trees and is in fair condition. Resurveyed at 1:2500. (3)
The Medieval motte and bailey described above was mapped from good quality air photographs. The following features were identified:-
Possible Medieval bailey, seen as earthworks. Morphological
description: an incomplete, regular, curvilinear enclosure, 60m
across, defined by 1 ditch and centred at SO 2961 3567.
Probable Medieval motte, seen as earthworks. Morphological
description: one large (15-50m), round feature and centred at
SO 2959 3568. (Morph No. MU.72.1.1-2)
This description is based on data from the RCHME MORPH2 database. (4)
Additional reference. (5) |