Caernarvon Castle - Coneygarth Cop |
| Hob Uid: 8684 | |
Location :
Cumbria
Copeland
Beckermet
|
| Grid Ref : NY0217007320 |
| Summary : Earthwork remains of a medieval castle, extant in 1153 and abandoned c.1250 and pulled down. It was recorded as a rectangular ruin in 1671. Coneygarth Cop has been interpreted by Collingwood as a Norman moated mound, possibly predating the castle, and latterly published as a motte and bailey. It was partly excavated in 1957, but these investigations have not been published. |
More information : (NY 02110720) Coneygarth Cop (NAT)
(NY 02170732) Caernarvon Castle (NR) (site of) (NAT) (1)
In 1671 "Caernarvon Castle" was a rectangular ruin 100 yards long by about 85 yards broad, with a ditch 12 yards wide and 4 yards deep. It stood upon a plateau approached from east and west. Opposite the latter was an artificial hill called Coneygarth cop, about 12 yards high and 6 yards across the top. Caernarvon Castle was the seat of Sir Michael Flemming, its first owner, who died in 1153. The castle was abandoned about 1250 and pulled down. (2-3)
Sir Daniel Fleming's description of Coneygarth Cop is interpreted by Collingwood (4) as a Norman moated mound with base court. (This has resulted in publication on OS 1:25 000 1952 of Coneygarth Cop as a Motte & Bailey, and the equation of the Cop and Caernarvon Castle on OS 1:10 560 1956) (4)
Short trenches cut across the apparently filled-in ditch at the Caernarvon Castle site in 1957 revealed traces of rubble walls with stones about 2ft by 1-1/2ft. A cobbled area was found just north of Coneygarth Cop at a depth of 3 feet. Excavations unpublished. (5-6) |