Gringley on the Hill; Beacon Hill

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameGringley on the Hill; Beacon Hill
Alternative NamesBeach Hill
Historic CountryNottinghamshire
Modern AuthorityNottinghamshire
1974 AuthorityNottinghamshire
Civil ParishGringley On The Hill

Situation: The Beacon Hill earthwork occupies a promontory position on the east side of Gringley-on-the-Hill village.

Preservation: It is unclear whether the slight nature of the defences represent a much denuded castle site, a temporary/unfinished castle earthwork, or another landscape feature.

Description: The summit of the hill has been levelled so as to form an irregular oval platform measuring c. 30m east-west x 20m north-south, and the sides of the feature have been artificially scarped to give a height of c. 11m on the north side and c. 7m on the south side prior to a further break of slope. Immediately to the north of this platform, a curvilinear length of apparently artificial terracing follows the natural contours of the hill, and may represent heavily denuded outer defences. It is unclear whether this confusing earthwork, comprising little more than an artificially scarped hill-top, was ever truly defensible and any more than the site of a beacon, as the place-name suggests, although it has alternatively been suggested that the site is a barrow.

Excavation: Unconfirmed and undated reports claim ‘Roman relics’ were found on the site of Beacon Hill. (Creighton 1998)

It was occupied in 1644 by Prince Rupert, when he relieved Newark Castle. (An obvious error - Beacon Hill at Newark). (PastScape ref. VCH)

A natural hill, possibly utilised as a beacon, and rendered defensive by scarping and the construction of a slight ditch; the artificial work is of a slight and inept nature and any occupation of the site must have been for a short period only. (PastScape ref. Field Investigators Comments–F1 FDC 26-NOV-62)

Gatehouse Comments

On the edge of the village and not an unlikely place for a manorial centre, although clearly not such a centre for any length of time. Recorded as a 'possible' (meaning doubtful) motte by King but scheduled as a 'other secular site'. Origin or use as a medieval timber castle seems unlikely and, whilst not the Beacon Hill of Prince Rupert may well be a Civil War beacon site slightly defended at that time.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSK741907
Latitude53.4087181091309
Longitude-0.885659992694855
Eastings474170
Northings390770
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles of the East Midlands (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 86
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 381 (possible)
  • Stevenson, W., 1906, in Page, Wm (ed), VCH Nottinghamshire Vol. 1 p. 296 online copy

Other

  • Creighton, O.H., 1998, Castles and Landscapes: An Archaeological Survey of Yorkshire and the East Midlands (PhD Thesis University of Leicester) p. 480 online copy