Fitz mound, Pimhill

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameFitz mound, Pimhill
Alternative Names
Historic CountryShropshire
Modern AuthorityShropshire
1974 AuthorityShropshire
Civil ParishPimhill

A tumulus..destroyed c1901 when burnt layers and fragments of burnt bones and charcoal were found. It had diameters of 100ft and 48ft at base and top respectively and was about 11ft high (Phillips 1901).

The NE side has been almost completely destroyed, and it has been cut through from NE to SW, but it can still be recognised as having once been a single large circular mound. The maximum height is 3m. Location in manorial village close to stream strongly suggests motte rather than barrow (OS record card 1962).

Evaluated for MPP in 1990-1, Low score as one of 43 Motte castles (Horton Wendy B. 1990/91. MPP Evaluation File). (Shropshire HER)

Gatehouse Comments

Was a medium sized Domesday manor held by Picot de Sai, although somewhat away from the bulk of his 50 manors in South Shropshire centred on Clun. Manor held for one knight's fee in time of war, at Oswestry, in 1255 and certainly held by a sub-tenant for military service before this. In 1901 the term 'tumulus' was often used for any type of artificial mound and not exclusively for pre-historic burial mounds as it is generally used today. Fragments of burnt bone may indicate a cremation burial or a bonfire and feast at a building site (as a builders' rite). The description of the mound is more suggestive of a 'building platform' type motte designed to elevate a hall rather than a tower supporting motte.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSJ448178
Latitude52.7556991577148
Longitude-2.81903004646301
Eastings344820
Northings317800
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Duckers, Peter and Anne, 2006, Castles of Shropshire (Stroud: Tempus) p. 75-6
  • Salter, Mike, 2001 (2edn), The Castles and Moated Mansions of Shropshire (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 87 (slight)
  • Jackson, M.J.,1988, Castles of Shropshire (Shrewsbury: Shropshire Libraries) p. 25
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 434
  • Eyton, R.W., 1860, Antiquities of Shropshire (London: John Russell Smith) Vol. 10 p. 144- (tenurial history) online copy

Journals

  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 112 p. 77-124
  • Phillips, W., 1901, 'The Fire at Shifnal and the Earl of Shrewsbury, Anno 1591' Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological and Historical Society Vol. 3 p. 286-7