More information : [SK.51628821] Castle Hill [O.E.]. (1)
Defensive earthworks [Motte and Bailey], known locally as "the Castle Hill and the Hall Yard" at Laughton-en-le-Morthen.
"The mound, measured in the bottom of the surrounding ditch, is 370 feet in circumference", and the ditch itself is 5 feet deep. "The truncated top of the mound is flat and measures 27 feet from east to west and 30 feet from north to south". The bailey is surrounded by a bank and ditch, the latter being of the same size as that surrounding the motte. There is no trace of an entrance or entrance causeway, but a gap on the east side is rather bigger than other gaps in the surrounding banks. "There are slight indications of earthworks on the north side of the area. No indication of the former existence of walls was apparent".
According to Domesday Book, Edwin, Earl of Mercia, had a hall at Laughton, before the conquest. (2)
Motte and Bailey at Laugthon-en-la-Morthen "These earthworks are in excellent preservation. The height of the motte is 30 feet,.... the width of the ditch 30ft. the area of the bailey half an acre. The bank on the counterscarp is wanting, and there is no sign of an entrance. The work is placed at the north-west corner of a plateau, and the ground falls quickly on the north and west sides, but on the other sides it is level.... .....Laughton was a demesne manor of Roger de Busli at Domesday". (3)
Brief description and plan of motte and bailey. It is stated that "there are signs of the previous existence of ramparts to a second or outher court, within which probably stood ...huts .... and the church". (4)
Description of motte and bailey largely as in authority 3. (5)
Motte and bailey, Laughton-en-le-Morthen. The bank of the bailey is 8ft high and 15 ft broad, the ditch is about 20 ft broad and 6ft below the exterior level. "The bank is cut through and the ditch traversed by a narrow causeway towards the east-north-east, no doubt representing the original entrance, which probably was over a timber bridge". [Full description of site is given]. (6)
Thurcroft, Castle Hill, Laughton-en-le-Morthen, scheduled under `castles'. (7)
Motte and bailey earthwork upon private land. In good condition.
Topographical position as by Authority 3. Physical description by Authorities above generally correct. No traces of an outer bailey seen. 25" A.M. - feature not correctly shown. Survey carried out. Original entrance most probably at north-east corner of bailey. Most of outer ditch is now missing along the east side. `Castle Hill' confirmed. `Hall Yard' not known or used. (8)
Condition unchanged. (9)
Additional references. (10-11)
A medieval motte and bailey is visible as earthworks on air photographs, centred at SK 5162 8821.
The bailey appears to have a ditch with an incompletely visible circuit and banks flanking the north and south sides.
These features are described by previous authorities.
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