More information : (Area SJ 46784414) In July 1957, the felling of trees at Castle Hill, Oldcastle revealed an impressive earthwork consisting of a small platform 128 ft by 25 ft defended on the N by two deep transverse ditches, and on the S by three similar ditches.
Thompson carried out a limited excavation in August 1957 when a section was cut in the bottom of one of the northern ditches, and trial trenches dug in the platform on the summit. No evidence on date or structural remains were found, and the purpose of the earthwork remains an enigma. It may possibly be pre-Norman or early medieval. (1)
Scheduled under 'Castles' (2) Plan (3) (1-3)
Surveyed at 1:2500. (4)
The inner of the two northern ditches was sectioned by Thompson, but yielded nothing. Some rapid trenching on the platform, before it was replanted with trees, revealed indications of a layer of stone on natural clay and a possible hearth sealed beneath a layer of stone.
It is possible that the feature is an outpost of the motte and bailey castle at Malpas suggesting, therefore, an 11th or early 12th century date. (5)
This work occupies a steep-sided, very narrow promontory which juts into the valley of the Wych Brook. The promontory lies some 30 feet below the sharp valley edge and the only approach is by a razor-back path.
The topographical position and method of construction, (some of the material being used to raise the central mound) suggests that this is probably a motte. It is now heavily overgrown. (6)
Listed by Cathcart King. (7) |