Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Burlow Castle
Hob Uid: 408670
Location : East Sussex Wealden Long Man
Grid Ref : TQ5301004190
Summary : Indeterminate earthworks, possibly of a motte and bailey. Prehistoric flints have been found from all periods along with fragments of 12/13th pottery.
More information : (TQ53010419) Burlough Castle (NR) (site of) (1) A "fortified area"(2) on which foundations of walls of indeterminate shape and form were visible pre-1824 (3), but which had been excavated by 1835 and two large barns built of the materials (4). Similar informations from Allcroft, who states that the area is "sown with coins" (5). Described by Clinch as Burghlow Castle (Class 'E' earthwork) a mount and bailey castle, the mount occupying the N part of the castle which has no outer rampart (6). A view of the "Ruins of Burlow Castle" by S F Grimm (1770-80) is in the collection of Sir William Burrell at the British Museum (6). (A copy in Sx Rec Soc Jubilee Volume " Sussex Views" shows only the plateau and no building ruins). (Centred TQ530044) Dr Wards map of c 1618 is annotated "The ruins of the Castle of Burlow" (Ward's map is more of a sketch so position is only accurate to c 100-200.0m) (7). (Centred TQ530044) Castlefield(8). Shoosmith (9) suggests it may have been a 12th c adulterine castle, but Evans (10) indicates that there is no historical evidence and digging has produced absolutely no finds. Musson, summarising the evidence, suggests that the name be removed from OS maps and C W Phillips (12) agrees. The name Burlow Castle (verified locally) refers to a natual hillock, bounded on the W by a steep river cliff, and elsewhere by slopes forming an excellent natural defence, though there is no trace of artificial defences or building foundations. In 1972, the occupants of Milton House found IA/RB potsherds and Me worked flints on the site after ploughing, but no finds of post-Conquest period are known to have been made. Field examination and local enquiries have failed to substantiate or deny the former existence of a "castle". (13) The East Sussex Archaeology Project field-walked the site under the supervision of Paul Smith, discovering 12th to 13th century pottery. An antiquarian print held at Barbican House Museum, Lewes, apparently shows the ruins of walls at the site. (14) Also from thee vicinity are a Mesolithic tranchet axe "BURLOW 1884" and Neolithic finds of an axe "BURLOW 1835", and a pick, "BURLOW 1882". (15)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" 1911.
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Corr 6" (E Curwen 1949)
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Source Number : 11
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Source details : R Musson
Page(s) : 19-22
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Vol(s) : 1954-7

Source Number : 12
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Source details : Letter (C W Phillips 7.1.54)
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Source Number : 13
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Source details : F1 NKB 31-AUG-72
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Source Number : 14
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Source details : Pers comm. A G Woodcock, East Sussex SMR
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Source Number : 15
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Source details : E W Holden
Page(s) : 6
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Vol(s) : 112, 1974

Source Number : 3
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Source details : Hist of Lewes 2, 1824, 8 (T W Horsfield)
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : Hist of Sussex 1, 1835, 320 (T W Horsfield)
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : Downland Pathways, 1922. 72-3. (A H Allcroft).
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : Sx Rec Soc Jubilee Volume "Sussex Views" No 6.
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : Dr Ward's Map of Cuckmere Valley, c 1618. (2-3" - 1 mile).
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : Tithe Map 1841 Arlington.
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Source Number : 9
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Source details : Sx Co Mag 7, 1933, 615-6 (E Shoosmith)
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Source Number : 10
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Source details : Ibid 685 (Evans)
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Palaeolithic
Display Date : Palaeolithic
Monument End Date : -10000
Monument Start Date : -500000
Monument Type : Findspot
Evidence : Find

Monument Period Name : Mesolithic
Display Date : Mesolithic
Monument End Date : -4000
Monument Start Date : -10000
Monument Type : Findspot
Evidence : Find

Monument Period Name : Neolithic
Display Date : Neolithic
Monument End Date : -2200
Monument Start Date : -4000
Monument Type : Findspot
Evidence : Find

Monument Period Name : Iron Age
Display Date : Iron Age
Monument End Date : 43
Monument Start Date : -800
Monument Type : Findspot
Evidence :

Monument Period Name : Roman
Display Date : Roman
Monument End Date : 410
Monument Start Date : 43
Monument Type : Findspot
Evidence :

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Medieval
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Motte And Bailey
Evidence : Earthwork, Conjectural Evidence

Components and Objects:

Period : Palaeolithic
Component Monument Type : Findspot
Object Type : HANDAXE
Object Material :

Period : Mesolithic
Component Monument Type : Findspot
Object Type : LITHIC IMPLEMENT, AXE
Object Material :

Period : Neolithic
Component Monument Type : Findspot
Object Type : AXE, PICK
Object Material :

Period : Iron Age
Component Monument Type : Findspot
Object Type : VESSEL
Object Material : Pottery

Period : Roman
Component Monument Type : Findspot
Object Type : VESSEL
Object Material : Pottery

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : ES 114
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Superfile number
External Cross Reference Number : 4772
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TQ 50 SW 21
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1972-08-31
End Date : 1972-08-31

Historic England Research Records

Burlow Castle