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) |