Rockhill

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Ringwork)

There are earthwork remains

NameRockhill
Alternative Names
Historic CountryShropshire
Modern AuthorityShropshire
1974 AuthorityShropshire
Civil ParishClun

A small circular work 130ft in diameter consisting of a single bank 1ft high from the interior and a ditch about 2ft deep. On the NW there is a scarp of 4ft, on the west 5ft. Entrance on SE (VCH 1908). Possible ring motte (Chitty; Hogg and King) Head of valley with good views to the S, with higher ridge to the north. Bank and outer ditch measuring 50m overall externally and 25m internally. The turf covered bank has a maximum height of 1.4m above a shallow enclosing ditch and 0.7m above interior, the W half of which is raised slightly above the surrounding ground. There is an entrance on the S. (OS FI 1973)

…A small larch plantation was removed from the site in the late 1950s which explains the tree stumps which are rotting in situ on the banks (A Tyler FI 1981)

Evaluated for MPP in 1990-1: High score as one of 30 Upland Enclosures; one of less than 10 Rounds (Horton Wendy B. 1990/91. MPP Evaluation File).

Suggested that this may be an animal pound (Reid Malcolm L. 2003. Comments by MPP fieldworker).

Gatehouse Comments

Somewhat isolated from settlement, and not in the apparently best position for a lookout outwork. Approx 30m in diameter, bank less than 1m high. Overlooked to north but good views of approaches to Clun from south. Several nearby sites make better tactical sense as lookout sites but this is site is one of the largest bits of level ground in the local area. King called this a 'possible' site in 1983 - a term he used for site that were doubtful. The suggestion that this was an animal pound is less romantic than suggesting it was a ringwork outwork to Clun Castle but is more probably correct.

- 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 ReferenceSO290785
Latitude52.4001884460449
Longitude-3.0448899269104
Eastings329000
Northings278530
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink
Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 52° 24' 0.79" Longitude -3° 2' 41.59"

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Books

  • Jackson, M.J.,1988, Castles of Shropshire (Shrewsbury: Shropshire Libraries)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 (possible)
  • Wall (after Downham), 1908, in Page, Wm (ed), VCH Shropshire Vol. 1 p. 379-80 (plan)

Journals

  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1970, 'Castles in Wales and the Marches (Additions and corrections to lists published in 1963 and 1967)' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 119 p. 119-124
  • King, D.J.C. and Alcock, L., 1969, 'Ringworks in England and Wales' Château Gaillard Vol. 3 p. 90-127
  • Chitty, Lily, 1957-60, Transactions of the Caradoc and Severn Valley Field Club p. 54

Other

  • Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission, 1986, Scheduled Monument Report on SAM 26376