Walelege

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Other/Unknown)

There are uncertain remains

NameWalelege
Alternative Names
Historic CountryHerefordshire
Modern AuthorityHerefordshire
1974 AuthorityHereford and Worcester
Civil Parish

A domus defensabilis is mentioned in Domesday Book under the name Walelege.

Gatehouse Comments

This probably means Wood of the Welsh. Numerous sites have been suggested including Ailey in Kinnersley parish (Renn - there is no archaeological evidence but there is an Old Castle Farm at SO33554846); Welshwood Farm, Brilley (Shoesmith, 1996); Lemore Martins Castle, Eardisley; Brilley Green Motte. Clearly such a scant historical reference will always leave some uncertainty. The house was held by Gilbert Fitz-Turold and had been given to him by William Fitz-Osbern. Only two of the four hides were geldable. There appears to have been no agricultural activity, and like Herdeslege it was situated in a dense forest.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid Reference
Latitude0
Longitude0
Eastings0
Northings0

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Books

  • Shoesmith, Ron, 2009 (Rev edn.), Castles and Moated Sites of Herefordshire (Logaston Press) p. 14
  • Shoesmith, Ron, 1996, Castles and Moated Sites of Herefordshire (Logaston Press)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 213 (Walelege as vanished castle)
  • Renn, D.F., 1973 (2 edn.), Norman Castles of Britain (London: John Baker) p. 337
  • Nelson, L.H., 1966, The Normans in South Wales (University of Texas Press) p. 71 online copy
  • Walters, H.B., 1908, 'Romano-British Herefordshire' in Page, Wm (ed), VCH Herefordshire Vol 1 p. 341

Journals

Primary Sources

  • Thorn, F., and Thorn, C. (eds), 1983, Domesday Book: Herefordshire (Chichester: Phillimore) 25:9 online copy
  • Williams, A. and Erskine, R.W.H. (eds), 1986-92, Great Domesday Book (Alecto Historical Edition) fol. 187