More information : (SP 618567) Castle Dykes (LB) (1)
The motte type castle of Castle Dykes, Farthingstone is in exceedingly fine and perfect condition. The entrenchments consist of soil with no visible signs of stonework. There are four enclosures: a circular keep, supported by courts E & W, and a large court on the NW. The circular keep is distinctly a ramparted enclosure, and not a mound. To the S is a rectangular earthwork (SP 65 NW 5) which certainly does not form part of the Norman work. (2)
Morton has given a circumstantial detail of the digging in the ruins of Castle Dykes for stones to build the house which is now standing a small distance from the castle hill. The workmen discovered a room with a vaulted roof, and another beneath.
"Amongst other stones in the rubbish they met with three, very rudely carved, each with an ill proportioned figure standing out upon it... All were placed with the faces outwards in the wall of the said house". Two are still there, but are mere corbels of no very remote antiquity (a). (3)
The earthworks comprise a ring motte with three baileys as described above. See annotated 25" survey. (4)
RCHM records that a medieval floor tile said to be from the site is in the possession of Daventry School. It is possible that parts of the outer ramparts, particularly the semi circular baileys may be of Iron Age origin. [RCHM plan]. (5)
Sherds of buff 13th/14th century shelly ware. Picked up in the outer bailey ramparts. (6)
A tangled plough share with spatulate blade (tang broken) found from an enclosure on this site. (7)
Listed by Cathcart King. (8) |