Byton Motte
Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Possible Masonry Castle
There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains
| Name | Byton Motte |
| Alternative Names | |
| Historic Country | Herefordshire |
| Modern Authority | Herefordshire |
| 1974 Authority | Hereford and Worcester |
| Civil Parish | Byton |
This mound appears to be the same as the mound identified as the site of Byton motte, a late 13th century motte built in response to the depredations of Llewelyn ap Grufydd. The motte stands on a ridge and has a small rectangular enclosure with a structure interpreted as a chapel, known to have survived into the 19th century. The mote rises 25 feet above the stream to the east. The top of the motte appears to supported a keep. There is a platform on the south side which may mark the site of a gatehouse. (PastScape ref. Remfry)
Just to the south of Byton church can be found what is described as a motte with traces of a former shell keep and possible gatehouse to the South. The bailey to the north of the motte includes the present church. At the south end of the bailey is evidence of a small gatehouse with twin towers, like that at Brampton Bryan Castle. Documentary sources date the castle to c. 1190. (Herefordshire Through Time)
Despite this apparently convincing description there has always been some debate about this site. Identified by Stirling-Brown in 1967 but not seemingly published until well after the publication of D.J.C. King's Castellarium Anglicanum._
Not scheduled
Not Listed
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | SO370641 |
| Latitude | 52.2714385986328 |
| Longitude | -2.92336010932922 |
| Eastings | 337050 |
| Northings | 264120 |
