More information : (TL 3053 2608) Castle (NR) (Site of) (NAT) (1)
A small oval shaped mound and bailey earthwork covering about 1 1/2 acres. It consists of a nearly circular enclosure, defended by a strong rampart and ditch, the latter partly surrounding a smaller enclosure (now mutilated) on the north. This was probably an adulterine castle of the reign of Stephen attributable to Hamo de St Clare, an adherent of Geoffrey de Mandeville. It never apparently had any masonry work and was probably destroyed (with others of its type) under Henry II (4). (2-4)
The feature is of classic motte-and-bailey "cottage-loaf" plan (though marred on the NW side by the intrusion of farm buildings). But some doubts as to its precise character are raised by the very considerable strength evident in the 'bailey' and the fact that the 'motte' is an almost completely natural rise, of very modest height, with the 'moat' on its east side almost certainly in its present form an ornamental pond. It is therefore possible that the feature is in fact a ring-work castle, and the 'motte' only an illusion.
Patches of nettle within the ring-work (or bailey) suggest possible foundations.
1:2500 Survey revised. (5)
A well proportioned ring castle. (6)
Possible post medieval prospect mound. Details held by the NAR RCHME Southampton but not verified by RCHME Archaeological Field Section. (7)
Listed. (8)
Listed by Cathcart King. (9) |