Tote Copse Castle |
| Hob Uid: 249219 | |
Location :
West Sussex
Arun
Aldingbourne
|
| Grid Ref : SU9227004770 |
| Summary : Site of a motte and bailey castle excavated in 1961-2. It was found to be a small 12th century castle with an oval plan bailey wall, moat and flat-topped motte erected against a circa 40 foot square keep with chamfered base, exterior garderobes and pilaster buttresses. The keep, which was constructed of flints and limestone was originally free-standing; the motte being added later. A well was found within the keep. The motte has since been levelled but the keep has been preserved by covering it with a mound. |
More information : (SU 92270477) CASTLE MOUNT (NR) (1)
The excavation of Tote Copse Castle was undertaken by TCM and A Brewster for the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments during 1961-2 due to the site being under a threat from agricultural
development.
It was found to be a small 12th c castle with an oval plan bailey wall, moat and flat-topped motte erected against a c 40 ft square keep with chamfered base, exterior garderobe and pilaster buttresses. The tower, which was constructed of flints and limestone was originally free-standing; the motte being added later. Within the keep was a well. An iron key was found in association with 12th c coarse ware.
Air photographs taken in an attempt to see whether or not there were structures outside the castle moat, proved negative. The motte has since been levelled but the keep has been preserved by covering it with a mound. Full excavation report. (2)
The spoil mound covearing the 1961-2 excavations is visible at SU 92270477, but the rest of the site has been completely levelled.
Published survey (25") revised. (3)
Listed by Cathcart King. (4)
The earthworks of medieval Tote Copse Castle described above in (1-4) were recorded from lidar imagery and aeria photographs during a survey carried out as part of a doctoral research project. (6-9) |