Nantwich Castle

Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte)

There are no visible remains

NameNantwich Castle
Alternative NamesCastrum Wici Malbani
Historic CountryCheshire
Modern AuthorityCheshire
1974 AuthorityCheshire
Civil ParishNantwich

During pipe laying two ditches of about C13 date were uncovered in 1978 and possibly the remains of a drawbridge. Roman pottery was also found. These defensive earthworks would appear to confirm this as the site of Nantwich castle. A further excavation in 1994-95 uncovered other features relating to the medieval castle. (PastScape)

Motte and Bailey Castle built by Hugh Lupus who then left it to 1 of his daughters. It is mentioned in documents from C13, C14 and C15. The site of the castle is preserved in the name of Castle Street and the curve in the north end of High St may echo edge of the site of the bailey. Excavations has found a number of ditches that may be part of the castle's defences. (Cheshire HER)

Gatehouse Comments

Car park is site of a castle which documentary sources say was in ruins by 1485.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSJ650522
Latitude53.0651512145996
Longitude-2.52154994010925
Eastings365060
Northings352290
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Grimsditch, Brian, Nevell, Michael and Nevell, Richard, 2012, Buckton Castle and the Castles of the North West England (University of Salford Archaeological Monograph 2) p. 110
  • Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles and Tower Houses of Lancashire and Cheshire (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 20
  • David Jordan, David Haddon-Reece, and Alex Bayliss (eds), 1994, Radiocardon Dates from samples funded by English Heritage and dated before 1981 (London: English Heritage) p. 118 online copy
  • Cullen, P.W. and Hordern, R., 1986, Castles of Cheshire (Crossbow Books) p. 12
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 69
  • Ridgway, Maurice Hill, 1958, 'Medieval Castles' in Sylvester, D. and Nulty, G. (eds), The Historical Atlas of Cheshire (Cheshire Community Council) p. 24-5
  • Harvey, Alfred, 1911, Castles and Walled Towns of England (London: Methuen and Co)
  • Hall, J., 1883, A History of the Town and Parish of Nantwich p. 22
  • Ormerod, G., 1882 (2edn), History of the County Palatine and city of Chester (London) Vol. 3 p. 421-2
  • Ormerod, G., 1819, History of the County Palatine and city of Chester (London) Vol. 3 p. 217- (tenurial history) online copy
  • Platt, J.W., 1818, The History of Nantwich p. 73

Journals

  • 1986, Nantwich Museum News
  • 1981, Cambrian Archaeological Association, Programme for 1981 Summer Meeting p. 24
  • McNeil-Sale, R., 1980-81, 'Nantwich: three years of excavations and observations' Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin Vol. 7 p. 30
  • Williams, S.R., 1975, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin Vol. 3 p. 52
  • Clark, G.T., 1889, 'Contribution towards a complete list of moated mounds or burhs' The Archaeological Journal Vol. 46 p. 197-217 esp. 201 online copy