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Historic England Research Records

Stapleton Castle

Hob Uid: 106436
Location :
County of Herefordshire
Stapleton
Grid Ref : SO3232065550
Summary : Stapleton Castle. The remains of a motte and bailey. Probably founded after 1144, the castle became the property of the Say family in the 13th century, and was slighted in 1645. The existing remains of a stone built house date from the 17th century. The earthworks, motte and bailey seem to have been cut and scarped from the summit of the hill. There are traces of a ditch on the east and west sides of the motte. To the north is a bailey with traces of an entrance and a slight ditch at the north end. The rest of the hill top to the north may have formed an outer enclosure. Scheduled.
More information : (SO 32326555) Stapleton Castle (NR) (remains of) (NAT) (1)

Stapleton Castle, property of the Say family in the 13th century,
is said to have been 'defaced' in 1645. The existing remains, - a stone-built house - are no earlier than E 17th century. The earthworks, motte and bailey seem to have been cut and scarped from the summit of a hill. There are traces of a ditch on the E and W sides of the motte. To the north is a bailey with traces of an entrance and a slight ditch at the N end. The rest of the hill-top to the N. may have formed an outer enclosure. (2)

As described. Published survey (25") revised. (3)

Founded after 1144 AD. A wall around the west and south sides of the motte was described by the RCHM as a retaining wall. This is now interpretted as a polygonal shell keep. It contains the remains of a garderobe shaft. Part of the wall of the castle gatehouse are incorporated into the ruins of the 17th century manor house. The bailey contains remains of a drawbridge abutment and possible barbican, and there are traces of curtain walls. (4)

Listed by Cathcart King. (5)

Ruins of C17 house on site of a medieval castle. Brick and sandstone rubble sections of wall, with one section retaining window openings with brick dressings on two storeys; a further section retains a section of a fireplace. In the C13 the castle belonged to the Say family, and was then acquired by the Mortimers, eventually passing to the Harley family in 1706. It occupies a commanding position over the Lugg River plain. It was inhabited until circa 1870. Grade II. (6)

History of the castle and description of the monument. (7)

The castle motte has been mapped from aerial photographs by RCHME's Marches Uplands Mapping Project. (8)

Sources :
Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : OS 6" 1963
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Source Number : 2
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Page(s) : 182
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Vol(s) : 1934
Source Number : 3
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Source details : F1 DRB 18-MAY-72
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Source Number : 4
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Source details :
Page(s) : 206-208
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Vol(s) : vol.2
Source Number : 5
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Source details :
Page(s) : 211
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Vol(s) : 1
Source Number : 6
Source :
Source details : District of herefordshire, 17-Dec-1986
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Source Number : 7
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Source details :
Page(s) : 31-Mar
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Source Number : 8
Source :
Source details : RAF CPE/UK/1873 3112-3 04-DEC-1946
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Monument Types:
Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : founded after 1144
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date : 1144
Monument Type : Motte And Bailey, Castle, Shell Keep, Gatehouse, Curtain Wall, Drawbridge
Evidence : Earthwork, Ruined Building
Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Held in 1403
Monument End Date : 1403
Monument Start Date : 1403
Monument Type : Motte And Bailey, Castle
Evidence : Documentary Evidence
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : 17th century
Monument End Date : 1699
Monument Start Date : 1600
Monument Type : Manor House
Evidence : Ruined Building
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : slighted in 1645
Monument End Date : 1645
Monument Start Date : 1645
Monument Type : Motte And Bailey, Castle, Manor House
Evidence : Earthwork

Components and Objects:
Related Records from other datasets:
External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : HE 119
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Hereford & Worcestershire)
External Cross Reference Number : 917
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : MORPH2
External Cross Reference Number : MU.383.8
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 149176
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SO 36 NW 2
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :
Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :
Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1972-05-18
End Date : 1972-05-18
Associated Activities :
Activity type : AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION
Start Date : 1993-01-01
End Date : 1994-12-31
Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 2013-01-01
End Date : 2013-12-31