Edwyn Ralph

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

There are earthwork remains

NameEdwyn Ralph
Alternative NamesEdvin Ralph; Edwin Ralph
Historic CountryHerefordshire
Modern AuthorityHerefordshire
1974 AuthorityHereford and Worcester
Civil ParishEdwyn Ralph

A circular mound densely covered by vegetation at SO 64405745 is 2.1m high and 30.0m in diameter. It is surrounded by a ditch 1.9m deep and 50.0m in diameter. The mound shows no evidence of a building. To the north at SO 64395749 are the foundations of a building but it is unlikely that they are contemporary with the mound. To the north and west there is evidence of a DMV. A rectangular depression at SO 64375753 measures 60.0m by 30.0m on an East- West axis. To the east of this is a pentagonal pitched enclosure displaying "Rig and Furrow" in the interior. A ditch, to the west of the moated mound, has an average width of 6.0m, and apparently connects with the rectangular depression. (PastScape ref. Field Investigators Comments F1 DRB 12-JUL-70)

Moat 100 yds W of church, circular encloses island about 40 yds diam. Traces of outer enclosure on N & NW (RCHME) Motte 2.1m high, 30m diam, no evidence of building. Ditch 1.9m deep. 50m diam. SO6439 5749 are foundations of building. New schedule suggests that is motte and bailey, castle, inside bailey evidence of buildings. On N ditch enlarged either as quarry or fishponds. To S of motte r & F. Earthworks between motte & church may be DMV (Scheduling Record).

Ringwork & bailey. Foundations mostly buried of large shell keep on the former low ringwork. Indic of a substantial stone barbican. The bailey poss walled in stone on the earlier earth rampart, though only loose stone left to indicate it. Partly C12 church in one of the several outer enclosures (Sterling Brown). (Herefordshire SMR)

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 ReferenceSO644574
Latitude52.214111328125
Longitude-2.52244997024536
Eastings364410
Northings257450
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Shoesmith, Ron, 2009 (Rev edn.), Castles and Moated Sites of Herefordshire (Logaston Press) p. 120
  • Salter, Mike, 2000, Castles of Herefordshire and Worcestershire (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 28
  • Stirling-Brown, R., 1989, Herefordshire Castles (privately published) p. 6 (plan)
  • 1981, Herefordshire Countryside Treasures (Hereford and Worcester County Council) p. 28
  • RCHME, 1932, An inventory of the historical monuments in Herefordshire Vol. 2: east p. 77 no. 2 online transcription
  • Gould, I. Chalkley, 1908, in Page, Wm (ed), VCH Herefordshire Vol. 1 p. 237 (plan)

Journals

  • 1997, Herefordshire Archaeological News Vol. 67 p. 36-40 (revised plan)
  • 1993, Herefordshire Archaeological News Vol. 59 p. 14 (plan)
  • Sterling Brown, R., 1988, 'Preliminary Results of Castle Survey' Herefordshire Archaeological News Vol. 50 p. 44
  • Stanford, S.C., 1967, 'Deserted Medieval Village of Hampton Wafer, Herefordshire' Transactions of the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club Vol. 39.1 p. 91