Norton Motte

Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameNorton Motte
Alternative NamesNorthton
Historic CountryRadnorshire
Modern AuthorityPowys
1974 AuthorityPowys
CommunityPresteigne

A ditched motte, 26m in diameter and 5m high, with a mutilated summit, c.7m in diameter. Across the B4355 to the E an area containing the vicarage c.150m by 80m, defined by natural slopes to the N and E and adjoining the churchyard of St Andrew's church to the S, is thought to represent the castle bailey. (Coflein)

Motte 5m high, base diameter 26m, damaged summit 7m diameter. Ditch 5m wide 0.3m deep on north-west, south-west and south-east sides. Roughly quadrangular bailey 150m north by 80m south bounded by ditch on south and west. Fragment of bank at south. Castle recorded in 1191 and was taken by the Welsh in 1262. Lewland in the mid 16th century recorded "a ltle pilet or turret", presumably on top of the motte (Silvester, R J 1994b, 132). Motte is becoming overgrown with shrubs and saplings (Cadw 1998). (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and bailey castle, a military stronghold built during the medieval period. A motte and bailey castle comprises a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil or stone (the motte) surrounded by, or adjacent to, one or more embanked enclosures (the bailey). Both may be surrounded by wet or dry ditches and could be further strengthened with palisades, revetments, and/or a tower on top of the motte. Norton Castle motte is c.26m in diameter and c.5m high, with a damaged summit c.7m in diameter. This is surrounded on the north-west, south-west and south-east sides by a ditch c.5m wide and c.0.3m deep, with a counterscarp bank outside it varying from c.8m to c.15m wide and from c.0.7 to c.1.5m high. The bailey is not scheduled but is assumed to occupy an area to the east, in the fork between the road and the next lane to its east. Scarps probably indicate its northern and eastern edges. The castle is recorded in 1191 and was taken by the Welsh in 1262. Leland in the mid 16th century recorded 'a little pilet or turret', presumably on top of the motte

(Scheduling Report)

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSO304673
Latitude52.2994918823242
Longitude-3.02220988273621
Eastings330410
Northings267310
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Remfry, P., 2008, The Castles and History of Radnorshire (SCS Publishing)
  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 250 (listed)
  • Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles of Mid Wales (Malvern) p. 64
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 181
  • Remfry, P., 1996, Castles of Radnorshire (Logaston Press) p. 115
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 410
  • Renn, D.F., 1973 (2 edn.), Norman Castles of Britain (London: John Baker) p. 259
  • Downman, E.A., 1916, Ancient Earthworks in Radnorshire
  • RCAHMW, 1913, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Radnorshire (HMSO) p. 132 no. 548 online copy
  • Armitage, Ella, 1912, The Early Norman Castles of the British Isles (London: John Murray) p. 293 online copy
  • Lewis, Samual, 1849, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales online copy

Antiquarian

  • Toulmin-Smith, Lucy (ed), 1910, The itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543 (Bell and Sons; London) Vol. 3 p. 11 online copy

Journals

  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1967, 'Masonry castles in Wales and the Marches: a list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 116 p. 71-132 (survived into C13 without being rebuilt in stone)
  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 112 p. 77-124
  • Brown, R, Allen, 1959, 'A List of Castles, 1154–1216' English Historical Review Vol. 74 p. 249-280 (Reprinted in Brown, R. Allen, 1989, Castles, conquest and charters: collected papers (Woodbridge: Boydell Press) p. 90-121) view online copy (subscription required)

Primary Sources

  • The Great Rolls of the Pipe of the third and fourth years of the reign of King Richard I: Michaelmas 1191 and Michaelmas 1192 (Pipe Roll Society 40)
  • Williams (ab Ithel), John, (ed), 1860, Annales Cambriae (444 – 1288) (London: Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts)1262 online copy

Other

  • Silvester, R.J., 1994, Radnorshire Historic Settlements (CPAT report) p. 132 online copy