Callow Castle

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Ringwork), and also as a Questionable Masonry Castle

There are earthwork remains

NameCallow Castle
Alternative NamesCallow Hill; Hogstow
Historic CountryShropshire
Modern AuthorityShropshire
1974 AuthorityShropshire
Civil ParishMinsterley

The castle was built on the site of an Iron Age hill fort on Callow Hill at SJ 38440480 (SJ 30 SE 1). This castle, probably built of stone, was disused by about 1274, but its remains were observed by Leland about 1540 (VCH 1968).

Recent examination of the hill fort revealed nothing about the site of a castle, but a charter of about 1274-8 .... speaks uncomprisingly of a "castellum" here to which the service of two half knights fees had formerly pertained (Longleat Mss). Leland mentions the "ruins of a castle or pile", but this could be a reference to the hill fort (Lawson 1965; Leland (Toulmin-Smith 1908)).

The earthwork on Callow Hill could be a "ringwork". There is no evidence of a castle within the earthwork (F1 MHB 16-JUL-71). (PastScape)

The castle was built on the site of the Iron Age hillfort on Callow Hill (SA 1048). This castle, probably built of stone, was disused by about 1274, but its remains were observed by Leland about 1540. Stone taken in 1688 from Callow Hill for the foundations of Minsterley Chapel, may have come from the castle (VCH 1968).

An examination of the hillfort (SA 1048) has revealed nothing which would suggest the site of a castle, but a charter of 1274 -8 refers to a castellum here to which the service of two half knights fees had formerly pertained (Longleat Ms). The castle was clearly disused at this date and was probably of stone, for in c 1540 John Leland speaks of substantial remains of a castle between Pontesbury and Hogstow Wood, which can only refer to Callow Castle (Lawson 1965)

There is no evidence of a castle within the earthwork on Callow Hill

OS FI 1971

2001 Scheduling documentation for the hillfort concurs that there is no visible indication to suggest that the remains of the castle lie within (Shropshire HER)

A quarter-mile or more from Pontesbury Church is a wood called Hogstow Forest, which belongs to the manor of Caus, and halfway between the church and this wood the ruins of a castle or tower belonging to Lord Powys are visible on top of (a hill). From this hill it is possible to see Shrewsbury and many other places in the area. (Chandler 1993 - transcription and modernisation of Leland)

Gatehouse Comments

Lawson states this could only be Callow Hill, although that is well over a mile from Pontesbury and overlooks the village of Minsterley. Gatehouse does not think Leland's location is Callow Hill. This is a hilly area with a number of notable hills close to Pontesbury, most notably Earl's Hill with its peak 320m OD at SJ409048 (also the site of a pre-historic camp Scheduled Monument 1020152). The view of Shrewsbury from Earl's hill would be better than that from Callow Hill. Leland's Itinery is a difficult source often in the form of unedited notes it may be the 'castel or pile apon' was not upon a hill (as assumed by Chandler) or that if on a hill it was the same hill as the one with the view of Shrewsbury. However given the description, the topography and the place name evidence (Earl's Hill) it is my opinion that Leland was referring to the camp on Earl's Hill, which has rock cut ditches which may well have made it look (when overgrown) like a collapsed masonry building. The location was reused as an WWII observation post but there is nothing to suggest medieval occupation. castle in the town beside the church or to Minsterley. If it refers to a castle at Minsterley none is known and it is then conceivable to see how a record to a castellum, a vague description by Leland and a set of mainly false preconceptions as to the form and function of small medieval castles could have lead to the identification of Callow Hill as a castle

- 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 ReferenceSJ384048
Latitude52.637580871582
Longitude-2.91115999221802
Eastings338440
Northings304800
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Duckers, Peter and Anne, 2006, Castles of Shropshire (Stroud: Tempus) p. 46
  • Salter, Mike, 2001 (2edn), The Castles and Moated Mansions of Shropshire (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 29
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 433
  • Gaydon, A.T. (ed), 1968, VCH Shropshire Vol. 8 p. 306
  • Wall (after Downham), 1908, in Page, Wm (ed), VCH Shropshire Vol. 1 p. 366
  • Anderson, J.C., 1864 (2edn 1972), Shropshire, Its Early History and Antiquities p. 357 online copy

Antiquarian

  • Chandler, John, 1993, John Leland's Itinerary: travels in Tudor England (Sutton Publishing) p. 393
  • Toulmin-Smith, Lucy (ed), 1908, The itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543 (London: Bell and Sons) Vol. 2 p. 26 online copy

Journals

  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1967, 'Masonry castles in Wales and the Marches: a list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 116 p. 71-132
  • Lawson, J., 1965, Shropshire Archaeological Society newsletter p. 28

Primary Sources

  • Longleat Mss unbound 4180

Other

  • English Heritage (2001) Scheduling Papers (Revision, 9/5/2001)