Castlefacts³

Swan Bank, Caverswall

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

Name	Swan Bank, Caverswall
Alternative Names	Dead Mans Hill
Historic Country	Staffordshire
Modern Authority	Staffordshire
1974 Authority	Staffordshire
Civil Parish	Caverswall

Burial mound at Swan Bank, Cookshill is circular in form measuring 139 ft diameter and 10ft high. Excavation revealed no finds. (VCH)

Swan Bank-possible barrow. A large flat-topped circular mound surrounded by a well-defined and comparatively deep ditch. It has all the attributes of a large bowl barrow but owing to negative excavation evidence, its origin, date and purpose must remain in question. Situated at SJ 9421 4303. (F1 AC 09-AUG-51)

Not a barrow; probably a medieval moated site. Known locally as the Roman Soldiers Burial Ground. Scraps of Samian ware have been found in the vicinity.

No change. It appears to be a motte in wet, low lying ground. (F2 DJC 27-NOV-74) (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

Marked as Motte on OS map.Other side of River Blithe from Caverswall Castle; Is this being suggested a precursor? Not a convincing site for a motte; not near medieval settlement (but is close to mill site); no evidence of a bailey; in a flood plain. The reason for dismissing this as a burial mound is unclear, although low lying site may not be typical for barrows. Surrounding ditch precludes animal flood stand. Within view of Caverswall Castle, possibly a late medieval or later landscaping feature. The site has a local name of Dead Mans Hill and a reputation as a C17 civil war burial site.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)

77834

County Historic Environment Record

www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MST559&resourceID=1010

OS Map Grid Reference	SJ942430
Latitude	52.9846382141113
Longitude	-2.08767008781433
Eastings	394210
Northings	343030