Castlefacts³

Burpham; enclosure near The Burgh

Has been described as a Rejected Siege Work

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

Name	Burpham; enclosure near The Burgh
Alternative Names
Historic Country	Sussex
Modern Authority	West Sussex
1974 Authority	West Sussex
Civil Parish	Burpham

circular banked enclosure near the prehistoric tumulus at The Burgh ... a low bank enclosing an area some 135/140 feet in diameter, but if there was a ditch it is no longer visible. Whether this was another siege castle, or an enclosure for animals, it is impossible to say. However, it stands in a very exposed and inhospitable position. (Purton 1998)

Gatehouse Comments

Clearly marked feature on map and air photo but does not seems to be recorded in the archaeological databases. The Burgh bowl barrow scheduled monument lies 200m NNW. A very similar feature lies 900m west (at TQ040112) and is also not recorded. A 'Norman' cooking potsherd is reported by some authors as a find near this site, the dating of this find is dubious and anyway one shard of pottery may just represent a one night camp by one individual rather than a significant encampment. Medieval occupation/use seems unlikely.Although not currently (Dec 2013) in the West Sussex archaeological database the initial opinion of the county archaeologist is 'that due to their regular size and circular form they are dewponds/former dewponds but of unknown date'. The westernmost one is water filled.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

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

393222

County Historic Environment Record

www.westsussex.gov.uk/leisure/explore_west_sussex/history_of_west_sussex/historic_environment_record.aspx

OS Map Grid Reference	TQ048110
Latitude	50.8892517089844
Longitude	-0.510500013828278
Eastings	504840
Northings	111010