Pelynt Bake Rings

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Ringwork)

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NamePelynt Bake Rings
Alternative NamesPellynt
Historic CountryCornwall
Modern AuthorityCornwall
1974 AuthorityCornwall
Civil ParishPelynt

A circular enclosure, 94 metres in diameter, with a larger D-shaped enclosure adjoining to the East, was present here and may represent an Iron Age enclosure or possible Medieval ringwork and bailey. It has now been completely ploughed out. (PastScape)

Locally known as 'Bake Rings', the almost circular enclosure about 94.0m diameter is situated on a plateau with a 'D'-shaped outwork or annexe on its E side. It has been much ploughed down and spread so that the entrance or entrances to each enclosure cannot be determined but the existence of a ditch (originally a bank and ditch, the bank now barely discernible) outside the SE corner seems a possible covering work for a SE entrance. The interiors of the enclosures are not artificially levelled or made up. Although the possibility of a medieval ring motte and bailey cannot be completely dismissed it would seem more likely to be a round with contemporary annexe; ie an IA/RB settlement and enclosures of pastoral nature (PastScape–ref. Field Investigators Comments-F1 MJF 05-OCT-72)

Gatehouse Comments

Isolated from medieval settlement, although Cornish settlement was often dispersed. However, Gatehouse agrees with the field investigator in considering this to be Iron Age, with no medieval use.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSX186549
Latitude50.3663482666016
Longitude-4.55128002166748
Eastings218640
Northings54940
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Calculate Print

Books

  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 77
  • Frere, S.S., 1961, Problems of the Iron Age in Southern Britain p. 56
  • Harvey, Alfred, 1911, Castles and Walled Towns of England (London: Methuen and Co)
  • Cornish, J.B., 1906, 'Ancient Earthworks' in Page, Wm (ed), VCH Cornwall Vol. 1 p. 462, 465 online copy
  • Lysons, D. and Lysons, S., 1814, Magna Britannia Vol. 3 p. 48 online transcription

Journals

  • Renn, D.F., 1959, 'Mottes: a classification' Antiquity Vol. 33 p. 106-12 (clearly one of the "Two similar sites on parallel spurs" 1000 yards apart in list of resited temporary castle. The second site is presumably Hall Rings, an IA hillfort at SX214555)
  • M'Lauchlan, H., 1846, Royal Institute of Cornwall 28th report p. 31 and plan

Other

  • Historic England, 2016, Heritage at Risk South West Register 2016 (London: Historic England) p. 32 online copy
  • Historic England, 2015, Heritage at Risk South West Register 2015 (London: Historic England) p. 33 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2014, Heritage at Risk Register 2014 South West (London: English Heritage) p. 32 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2013, Heritage at Risk Register 2013 South West (London: English Heritage) p. 28 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2012, Heritage at Risk Register 2012 South West (London: English Heritage) p. 46 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2011, Heritage at Risk Register 2011 South West (London: English Heritage) p. 42 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2010, Heritage at Risk Register 2010 South West (London: English Heritage) p. 40 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2009, Heritage at Risk Register 2009 South West (London: English Heritage) p. 48 online copy