Ludgershall Town Defences

Has been described as a Possible Urban Defence

There are earthwork remains

NameLudgershall Town Defences
Alternative Names
Historic CountryWiltshire
Modern AuthorityWiltshire
1974 AuthorityWiltshire
Civil ParishLudgershall

Massive ditch which has been variously described as a deer park boundary and town defences.

A large NW-SE aligned ditch was recorded at a site adjacent to the castle (in Castle Street) during a watching brief in 2001 (Phillips 2001). The ditch had been recut a number of times, the latest datable to the 17th century. Pottery from primary fills of the ditch indicate a 12th or 13th century origin for this feature, making it contemporary with the adjacent castle earthworks, of which it may be a component - possibly part of an outer enclosure. (Mcmahon p. 7)

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSU264511
Latitude51.2583694458008
Longitude-1.62334001064301
Eastings426400
Northings151100
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

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Books

  • Creighton, O.H. and Higham, R.A., 2005, Medieval Town Walls (Stroud: Tempus) p. 256
  • Bond, C.J., 1987, 'Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Defences' in Schofield, J. and Leech, R. (eds) Urban Archaeology in Britain (CBA Research Report 61) p. 92-116 online copy
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 503
  • Barley, M.W., 1975, 'Town Defences in England and Wales after 1066' in Barley (ed) The plans and topography of medieval towns in England and Wales (CBA Research Report 14) p. 57-71 download/view online

Journals

  • Creighton, Oliver, 2006, ''Castles of Communities': Medieval Town Defences in England; Wales and Gascony' Château Gaillard Vol. 22 p. 75-86

Other

  • Mcmahon, Phil, 2004, The Archaeology of Wiltshire's Towns An Extensive Urban Survey Ludgershall (Wiltshire County Archaeology Service) online copy
  • Phillips, B., 2001, An archaeological watching brief at 26 Castle Street, Ludgershall, Wiltshire. Unpublished Report, Bernard Phillips.