| Summary : Medieval motte and bailey castle surviving as an earthwork. Foundations and stonework on motte probably belonging to a 12th century stone keep. Possibly rebuilt in 1220. The flat-topped, steep-sided oval motte stands about 9.0m high, measuring approximately 45m by 60m across at its base, and 12 by 6.0m across at the top. It is surrounded by a ditch on all sides apart from but the North side. The bailey, to the North-East of the motte, is 40m by 65m. It was used as an observation post or light anti-aircraft battery in World War II. Scheduled. |
More information : (SJ 393151) Motte & Bailey (NR). (1)
The Motte on the south side of the Severn at Little Shrawardine stands fifty feet above the river and thirty feet above ground level. The bailey, which lies to the north-east of the motte, consists of a quadrangular plateau four foot above general ground level on the south-east, but descending by a steep escarpment to the river on the north-west side. A rampart remains on the southern angle and south-east side, and the ditch between the motte and bailey has been utilized by a rough road leading down to the river. (2)
The motte and bailey existed before 1165, as expenditure on repairs is recorded after 1165 and it was rebuilt in 1220. There are fragments of a square keep on the motte, mainly rubble, apart from an ashlar face with a partly buried relieving arch. Both this and other stonework found on the site may be 12th century. (3)
SJ 39251517. No change. Published survey 25" revised. (4)
SJ 393152, SJ 392151. Little Shrawardine motte and bailey castle. Scheduled. (5)
Additional reference. (6)
Listed by Cathcart King. (7) |