Castle Frome castle

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

There are earthwork remains

NameCastle Frome castle
Alternative Names
Historic CountryHerefordshire
Modern AuthorityHerefordshire
1974 AuthorityHereford and Worcester
Civil ParishCastle Frome

Occupying a strong, wooded position south-west of Fromes Hill and 0.3km east of the church can be found a motte hidden by post-war forestry. This motte is 45m in diameter, rising 4m above the bailey. The motte has slight sinking to the top. Stone can be found in the structure and may indicate the presence of stone walls. The bailey has a deep ditch that surrounds the ringwork to the north, east and south. Entrance to the bailey was via a causeway across the ditch to the south. The general outline is visible on aerial photographs. These photographs show traces of two poorly-preserved baileys to the north and south. It is very likely that Castle Frome was a stronghold from which the estates of Walter de Lacy in the Frome Valley were controlled. This suggests that the castle was most probably built just after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It was in the King's control from 1155 to some time after 1216, when it was restored to the de Lacys. In 1244 Gilbert de Lacy borrowed £600 from Walter de Lacy, perhaps to begin a period of rebuilding at the castle. (Herefordshire Through Time)

Motte and Bailey 350 yds E of Castle Frome church (SO67084587). The motte is 60 yds in diameter and rises circa 14ft above the bailey; there is a slight sinking in the top. A scarp to the E and S probably indicates the outline of the bailey. Running along the SW of the motte is a sunken way partly protected by a rampart on the W side. In poor condition - site wooded. (PastScape ref. RCHME)

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 ReferenceSO670458
Latitude52.1099014282227
Longitude-2.48195004463196
Eastings367090
Northings245840
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Shoesmith, Ron, 2009 (Rev edn.), Castles and Moated Sites of Herefordshire (Logaston Press) p. 86
  • Salter, Mike, 2000, Castles of Herefordshire and Worcestershire (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 20
  • Pettifer, A., 1995, English Castles, A guide by counties (Woodbridge: Boydell Press) p. 103 (slight)
  • Stirling-Brown, R., 1989, Herefordshire Castles (privately published) p. 2
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 203
  • 1981, Herefordshire Countryside Treasures (Hereford and Worcester County Council) p. 38
  • Renn, D.F., 1973 (2 edn.), Norman Castles of Britain (London: John Baker) p. 193
  • RCHME, 1932, An inventory of the historical monuments in Herefordshire Vol. 2: east p. 49 online transcription
  • Harvey, Alfred, 1911, Castles and Walled Towns of England (London: Methuen and Co)
  • Gould, I. Chalkley, 1908, in Page, Wm (ed), VCH Herefordshire Vol. 1 p. 225
  • Mackenzie, J.D., 1896, Castles of England; their story and structure (New York: Macmillan) Vol. 2 p. 103 (slight and as lost) online copy
  • Robinson, C.J., 1869, The Castles of Herefordshire and Their Lords (London: Longman) p. 62-4 online copy

Journals

  • 2004, 'Archaeology 2004, Report of Sectional Recorder' Transactions of the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club Vol. 54 p. 115
  • Halliwell, P.R. (ed), 1993, Herefordshire Archaeological News Vol. 60 p. 7-8 (plan)
  • Halliwell, P.R. (ed), 1993, Herefordshire Archaeological News Vol. 59 p. 23-6
  • Sterling Brown, R., 1988, 'Preliminary Results of Castle Survey' Herefordshire Archaeological News Vol. 50 p. 41
  • Cohen, I., 1956, 'Archaeology, Report of Sectional Editor' Transactions of the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club Vol. 35 p. 183
  • 1936, Transactions of the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club p. 183
  • 1894, 'Frome's Hill' Transactions of the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club p. 184

Primary Sources

  • Herefordshire Domesday (Balliol MS. 350) fol. 44 online copy