More information : [TF 0646 4555] Castle [G.T.] (Site of). (1)
Sleaford Castle, built with square towers at its angles, and a
master tower or keep in the middle. It was protected by an
outer and an inner moat fed by the waters of the Slea. The castle
was in good order when visited by Leland in about 1545. In 1604, there is mention of the `late fair Castle at Sleaford', and as late
as 1720, part of the north wall and north-western tower and much
of a larger tower, perhaps the keep, were still standing. (2,3)
Scheduled (4)
Earthworks of castle on St Joseph's air photography
AO/LP/63/290. (5).
Roman coins have been found at the site of the castle before
Stukely's time (6).
Resurveyed at 1:2500. A portion of the wall at TF 06580 45622 still exists, but has been toppled from its original position. (7)
Extensive grassed earthworks and isolated fallen masonry are evident at the site of this castle, which in plan consisted of a keep with inner and outer courts, and in extent originally occupied an area of some 5 to 6 acres.
The main entrance to the castle was from the west, where both the inner and outer moats are bridged by narrow causeways. There are surface indications of buildings in the outer bailey, but no foundations can be traced.
Published survey (25" PFD) correct. (8)
The Medieval 'inner moat' and associated earthworks referred to by the previous authorities were seen as earthworks and mapped from poor quality air photographs. The moat is defined by a broad deep ditch on three sides and defines an area 70m by 60m. It is centred at TF 0647 4555. In the interior are the incoherent fragmentary remains of buildings defined by low earth covered walls or foundations. A possible arm of the 'outer moat' referred to by the previous authorities is visible to the west of the 'inner moat' and is centred at TF 0638 4553. To the south of the 'inner moat' are the remains of four enclosures ranging in size from 40m by 15m to 15m by 15m defined by low earth covered walls or foundations. These may represent the remains of more buildings or walled enclosures. They are centred at TF 0647 4552. The remains of the toppled wall referred to by authority 7 are visible upstanding, in the north east corner of the inner moat, on 1932 air photographs but this area is masked by trees on any subsequent air photographs.
(Morph No. LI.853.1.1-6)
This description is based on data from the RCHME MORPH2 database.
(9)
A brief field examination revealed extensive castle earthworks used as a public park. The inner and outer moats (described by authorities 8 and 9) are well defined and the outer moat, visible surrounding the site on four sides, is still wet. The topsoil over the foundations is very thin in places and masonry is beginning to protrude. (10)
In 1209-13 a castle at Sleaford was in the possession of the Crown. (11) |