| Summary : A small medieval motte castle located 780 metres south east of Wood Farm, on the northern edge of Greensand Ridge overlooking Cardington, Bedford and the broad plain of the River Ouse. The castle stands on a broad terrace below the summit of the ridge, and was formed by the excavation of a wide ditch around a central mound, or motte, raised from the upcast soil. The motte, which is circular in plan, measures about 20 metres in diameter. It stands approximately 1.8 metres above the level of its surroundings and the surface has a slightly domed profile. The surrounding ditch measures approximately 4.5 metres in width and 1.4 metres in depth, and a low counterscarp bank surrounds the outer edge. The castle is thought to have been constructed in the late 11th or 12th century, either as part of the consolidation of the countryside after the Norman invasion, or as a matter of local defence during the period of sporadic civil war between Stephen and Matilda (1134-1148). Scheduled. |
More information : "Hidden in Exeter Wood near Cotton End is a low motte with shallow earthwork adjoining .... It is too overgrown for proper examination, but its position overlooking the Ouse valley is an excellent one ..."
(No other references. Not shown on any OS plans). (1)
A small medieval motte castle located 780 metres south east of Wood Farm, on the northern edge of Greensand Ridge overlooking Cardington, Bedford and the broad plain of the River Ouse. The castle stands on a broad terrace below the summit of the ridge, and was formed by the excavation of a wide ditch around a central mound, or motte, raised from the upcast soil. The motte, which is circular in plan, measures about 20 metres in diameter. It stands approximately 1.8 metres above the level of its surroundings and the surface has a slightly domed profile. The surrounding ditch measures approximately 4.5 metres in width and 1.4 metres in depth, and a low counterscarp bank surrounds the outer edge. The castle is thought to have been constructed in the late 11th or 12th century, either as part of the consolidation of the countryside after the Norman invasion, or as a matter of local defence during the period of sporadic civil war between Stephen and Matilda (1134-1148). (2)
The motte described above was viewed on an extensive range of aerial photographs, but the motte is completely tree covered and its earthworks could not be mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project. Environment Agency Lidar imagery was not available. However its location is visible by a circular growth of deciduous trees, which is surrounded by coniferous plantations. (3-4) |