Brompton Castle Hill

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Possible Fortified Manor House

There are earthwork remains

NameBrompton Castle Hill
Alternative NamesPickering Lythe
Historic CountryYorkshire
Modern AuthorityNorth Yorkshire
1974 AuthorityNorth Yorkshire
Civil ParishBrompton

Site of a fortified house located on a steep natural hill in the north east corner of the village of Brompton, overlooking a millpond that was created by utilising a natural spring. The monument occupies the end of a spur of high ground, with steep slopes down to the south and west. The north and north east parts of the protected area are on the highest ground, where the remains of two buildings can be interpreted. In the northern part of the area there is a slightly raised and levelled area with traces of stonework protruding along its eastern edge. This forms a roughly rectangular shape measuring 22m by 20m. In the south east area the remains of another building are evident, standing in places more than 1m above the surrounding area. This forms an irregular rectangle approximately 15m by 7m, and is evidently the rubble mound of a substantial fallen building. Connecting these two structures is another raised area, 25m long and 4m wide, with a faint earthwork to its west, perhaps indicating a further structure. The site is interpreted as a fortified medieval manor, with an unusual location and design. It was probably situated to protect the spring below, with a defence line along the north and east sides and protected on the south and west sides by steep natural slopes. The area also includes two small brick buildings measuring approximately 2.80m by 2.10m and 2.30m high, with concrete roofs and a simple entrance with no windows. These were built for the Home Guard during World War II, apparently as ammunition stores. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Remains of motte, signs of masonry, wet defenses. Supposed seat of Northumbrian Kings.

- 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 ReferenceSE945821
Latitude54.226261138916
Longitude-0.551329970359802
Eastings494540
Northings482140
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles and Tower Houses of Yorkshire (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 26
  • Jackson, M.J., 2001, Castles of North Yorkshire (Carlisle) p. 6
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 514
  • Page, Wm (ed), 1923, VCH Yorkshire: North Riding Vol. 2 p. 424 online transcription
  • 1905, Kelly's directory of the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire, with the cities of York and Hull
  • Allen, T., 1831, A new and complete history of the county of York Vol. 3 p. 459

Journals

  • I'Anson, W.M., 1913, 'The castles of the North Riding' Yorkshire Archaeological Journal Vol. 22 p. 332
  • Harwood Brierley, 1896, 'The village where Wordsworth was married' Notes and Queries (series 8) Vol. 9 p. 62-3 online copy

Other

  • Constable, Christopher, 2003, Aspects of the archaeology of the castle in the north of England C 1066-1216 (Doctoral thesis, Durham University) Available at Durham E-Theses Online
  • Creighton, O.H., 1998, Castles and Landscapes: An Archaeological Survey of Yorkshire and the East Midlands (PhD Thesis University of Leicester) p. 582-3 online copy