Bratton Fleming Mound

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameBratton Fleming Mound
Alternative Names
Historic CountryDevonshire
Modern AuthorityDevon
1974 AuthorityDevon
Civil ParishBratton Fleming

There is a possible motte on the west slope of the hill north-east of the church. The identification is supported by the field names Castle Field, Castle Moor, Castle Meadow, and Castle Farm, in the immediate vicinity (Grinsell).

Castle Farm formerly stood at SS64493781, and the fields with significant names are the three extending immediately to the W of this point. The mound stands at SS64513783 (Field Investigators Comments-F1 MHB 16-JUL-73).

During the summer season a trial excavation was made at the base of the earthwork in Bratton Fleming which it is thought may be the remains of a site fortified by le Fleming, Lord of the manor of Bratton on the late 11th or early 12th centuries. The trial trench was inconclusive. (NDAS).

A segment of a mound about 30.0m across and up to 2.0m high. It appears to be the N end of a natural spur, but may have been artificially scarped. Its origin as a motte is doubtful (Field Investigators Comments-F1 MHB 26-JUL-73). (PastScape)

Mound possible motte. There is a possible motte on west slope of hill, north-east of church. Identification supported by field names 'Castle Field', 'Castle Moor', 'Castle Meadow, and 'Castle Farm' in the immediate vicinity (Grinsell 1970).

A segment of a mound appears to be north end of natural spur but may have been artificially scarped. Its origin as a motte is doubtful (Ordnance Survey, 1973, OS SS63NW 8 (Site Visit)).

A truncated mound which strong local tradition says is a castle. The wall now truncating the mound was built sometime after 1839. The surviving N half is 22m on long axis and 6m wide x 3m high & flat-topped. Low berm at its foot. Foundation date unknown, but probably in the 11th or 12th centuries (Higham 1979). (Devon and Dartmoor HER)

Gatehouse Comments

Robert Higham does not seem to have doubts about this as the site of a timber castle. The location, at one end of village street with church at other, is certainly consistent with that of a castle.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSS645378
Latitude51.1236915588379
Longitude-3.93742990493774
Eastings264510
Northings137830
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Higham, Robert A., 1999, 'Castles, Fortified Houses and Fortified Towns in the Middle Ages' in Kain, R. and Ravenhill, W., Historical Atlas of South-West England (University of Exeter Press) p. 136-43
  • Salter, Mike, 1999, The Castles of Devon and Cornwall (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 87 (slight)
  • Grinsell, L.V., 1970, The archaeology of Exmoor: Bideford Bay to Bridgwater p. 134, 213

Journals

  • Higham, R.A., 1988, 'Devon Castles: an annotated list' Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society Vol. 46 p. 142-9
  • Higham, R.A., 1982, 'Early Castles in Devon' Château Gaillard Vol. 9-10 p. 101-116
  • 1964, 'Hon. Sec. Report' North Devon Archaeological Society

Other