Castlefacts³

Weston Park, Saintbury

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Possible Masonry Castle

There are earthwork remains

Name	Weston Park, Saintbury
Alternative Names
Historic Country	Gloucestershire
Modern Authority	Gloucestershire
1974 Authority	Gloucestershire
Civil Parish	Saintbury

A possible motte and bailey at SP 12513902 built on the end of a ridge with excellent views to the N. A sandy knoll rising 10.0m above the surrounding ground has been artificially scarped, and around its base is a ditch averaging from 1.0 to 2.0m deep. A mound with a maximum height of 2.7m has been formed at the N end and its summit has diameters of 6.0 and 8.0m.

Along the SE edge of the knoll are traces of walling 12.0m in length. S of the mound on the summit of the knoll are two circular hollows, which may or may not be original features. There are indications that the knoll has been quarried in recent times along its west side. SW of the site is a crescentic bank which might be taken for a covering work, but is almost certainly spoil from a nearby recently constructed pond (F1 DJC 11-APR-73). (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

Appears to have been first recorded by an OS archaeologist, as a map annotation, in 1936 but never published and not recorded by the usual castle gazetteers (i.e D.J.C. King; Renn). Isolated location within Weston Park. The form, two embanked mounds, is superficially like that of a motte, but the pairing of two mounds is not known at any other castle. Possibly a park feature (a viewing platform?) rather than a castle. Rudder reports a park is mentioned in 15 Elizabeth (1548-9) associated with the Giffard manor house at Weston sub-Edge. Did this have an earlier precursor. However, it should also be noted that Rudder writes "It is said the hundred court was formerly kept on the top of the hill, above the village {of Weston Subedge}" and, if this report is accurate, this may well then be the site of that hundred court house and, therefore, a castle site.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)

330610

County Historic Environment Record

www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1085&resourceID=108

OS Map Grid Reference	SP125390
Latitude	52.049430847168
Longitude	-1.81896996498108
Eastings	412510
Northings	239020