Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Cusop Castle
Hob Uid: 104937
Location : County of Herefordshire Cusop
Grid Ref : SO2390041390
Summary : The earthwork and buried remains of Cusop Castle ringwork, a natural outcrop enhanced by quarrying and the construction of earthen ramparts. There are now no traces of buildings within the ringwork, but it is believed that the foundations of the medieval structures will survive below ground. Alternatively a number of depressions within the earthwork have been suggested as possible sites of buildings, with a large feature at the rear interpreted as a hall. There has also been masonry identified on site, although not definitely in situ.There are further possible buildings and a trackway in the castle bailey.Scheduled.
More information : (SO23904140) Castle (NR) (Site of) (NAT). (1) Cusop Castle. Earthwork "consists of an irregular, oval-shaped court with remains of a ditch on the NE, the counterscarp of which has been largely destroyed by a modern road. The ditch on the N and NW has been entirely destroyed by the road, leaving only part of the scarp to the court. On the remaining sides is a scarp with a berm, below which is a steep natural fall of the ground. Traces of what would appear to have been the entrance to the courtyard appear near the middle of the NE side". (2) Probably a fortified residence. In the centre are quantities of loose stones, which are the only remains of the original mansion. (3) Cusop Castle transferred from 'Possible' list to 'Main' list of Welsh Castles. (4) Cusop Castle, probably 12th-14th century in origin, is basically as described by authority 2 except for the following:- The ditch described to the NE also exists on the E; the scarp on the SW has been destroyed by the building of Castle Cottage, the court consists of two levels separated by an irregular low bank and the slope "below the berm" is artificially scarped for about 5 m. The centre is now devoid of loose stone, according to local knowledge, removed for the construction of nearby buildings. Resurveyed 1:2500. (5) Additional references. (6-7) SO 2390 4139. Cusop Castle ringwork. Schedule revision. (8) Shoesmith states that foundations of a stone curtain have been found on the bank with evidence for buildings on the south. Traces of a stone gateway were found in the 18th century. (9)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" 1964.
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Plan p.xxxv
Page(s) : 47
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Hist of Here, 2 pt 1, 1812 286, (J Duncumb).
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : Hogg & King
Page(s) : 119
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 RHK 12-JAN-73
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : Sketch plan
Page(s) : 225-6
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Source Number : 7
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Page(s) : 204
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : EH Scheduled Monument Revision, 09-NOV-2000
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Source Number : 9
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Source details :
Page(s) : 86
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Vol(s) : vol.2

Source Number : 10
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Source details : Phillips, N. 2006. 'The Earthwork Castles of Gwent and Ergyng AD 1050-1250' BAR.
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : C12th to C14th
Monument End Date : 1399
Monument Start Date : 1100
Monument Type : Ringwork
Evidence : Earthwork

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : HE 139
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 30078
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SO 24 SW 9
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1973-01-12
End Date : 1973-01-12

Historic England Research Records

Cusop Castle