Richards Castle Village Defences

Has been described as a Certain Urban Defence

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameRichards Castle Village Defences
Alternative NamesAuretone; Averetone; Avretone; Overton
Historic CountryHerefordshire
Modern AuthorityHerefordshire
1974 AuthorityHereford and Worcester
Civil ParishRichards Castle

Earth bank and ditch NE from castle were excavated. Later addition to castle of c1200. Bank is best preserved on W facing col where it is linked to castle across moat by wall. Sectioned c50' from castle ditch. Runs 100 yds to NE then turns at right angle to enclose Church Farm (C17) then follows lane where ditch forms County Boundary. In same direction it crosses lane where ditch is visible as sort of cliff edge. 60 yds from lane presumed tower turned out to be dovecote. Bank lost in Green Farm on steep escarpment. Ditch 16' across and 12' deep (prob with V bottom although not completely excavated). Bank 8' high, 37' wide, simple dump construction seemingly as taken out of ditch. Small sherds on old ground surface under bank at back & front & in makeup - C12 vessels. (Herefordshire SMR)

Gatehouse Comments

No documentary evidence for defences.

- 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 ReferenceSO486703
Latitude52.3288383483887
Longitude-2.75687003135681
Eastings348600
Northings270300
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Salter, Mike, 2013, Medieval Walled Towns (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 121
  • Creighton, O.H. and Higham, R.A., 2005, Medieval Town Walls (Stroud: Tempus) p. 26, 64, 82, 159, 217, 265, 278
  • Salter, Mike, 2000, Castles of Herefordshire and Worcestershire (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 58
  • Shoesmith, Ron, 2009 (Rev edn.), Castles and Moated Sites of Herefordshire (Logaston Press)
  • Pettifer, A., 1995, English Castles, A guide by counties (Woodbridge: Boydell Press) p. 101
  • 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. 1 p. 215
  • 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
  • Turner, H.L., 1971, Town Defences in England and Wales (London) p. 208
  • Beresford, Maurice, 1967, New towns of the Middle Ages: town plantation in England, Wales and Gascony (London: Lutterworth Press) p. 451-2
  • RCHME, 1934, An inventory of the historical monuments in Herefordshire Vol. 3: north-west p. 172 (plan 173) online transcription

Journals

  • Creighton, Oliver, 2006, ''Castles of Communities': Medieval Town Defences in England; Wales and Gascony' Château Gaillard Vol. 22 p. 75-86
  • Bond J., 2001, 'Earthen Castles, Outer Enclosures and the Earthworks at Ascott d'Oilly Castle, Oxfordshire' Oxoniensia Vol. 46 p. 65-6 (Appendix: Norman earthwork castles with failed towns in outer enclosures) online copy
  • Currow, P.E. and Thompson, M.W.,1969, Excavations at Richards Castle Herefordshire 1962-1964' Journal of the British Archaeological Association Vol. 32 p. 105-128
  • 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
  • Hurst, D. Gillian, 1965, 'Medieval Britain in 1964, II. Post-Conquest' Medieval Archaeology Vol. 9 p. 190 download copy

Other

  • Dalwood, H. and Bryant, V. (eds), 2005, The Central Marches Historic Towns Survey 1992-6 Download online copy
  • Dalwood, H., 1996, Archaeological Assessment of Richard's Castle, Hereford and Worcester (Central Marches Historic Towns Survey, Herefordshire and Worcester County Council)