Castlefacts³

Motslow Hill, Stoneleigh

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

Name	Motslow Hill, Stoneleigh
Alternative Names	Matslow Hill
Historic Country	Warwickshire
Modern Authority	Warwickshire
1974 Authority	Warwickshire
Civil Parish	Stoneleigh

The tenants of Stoneleigh called Sokemen, were compelled every three weeks to do their suit at the King's Court held for the manor, upon a place called Motslow Hill, on the South side of the river, opposite the church.' (Dugdale)

Motslow Hill is mentioned in 1260 and later. This may have been used as the Hundred Meeting. There is an artificial mound here 275m SSW of the church (E.P.N.S.).

Cathcart King suggests that it is not incompatible for this to have been a motte as well as a moot-hill (King 1983). (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

Clearly was a moot probably based on a burial mound (possible of early Saxon date). Although continued to have some administrative import after the Conquest does not seem to have been residential and, therefore, unlikely to have been a motte castle. Dugdale called this a 'Mote', although clearly as a legal meeting place. There is probably some degree of confabulation between the terms moot and motte here.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

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

335829

County Historic Environment Record

timetrail.warwickshire.gov.uk/detail.aspx?SMRSearch=true&monuid=WA2878

OS Map Grid Reference	SP330723
Latitude	52.3481483459473
Longitude	-1.5176899433136
Eastings	433070
Northings	272350