Madley Motte

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

There are no visible remains

NameMadley Motte
Alternative NamesTumpy Field; Castle Farm
Historic CountryHerefordshire
Modern AuthorityHerefordshire
1974 AuthorityHereford and Worcester
Civil ParishMadley

Site of a Motte and Bailey. The mound was oval and 43yds long by 33.5yds across at the base, surrounded by a dry ditch and was 9ft in height. In 1964 it was removed for its soil. (PastScape)

Mound, oval form, 43yds long x 33.6 yds across at base. Surrounded by dry ditch and rises to maximum height of 9' below the bottom of the ditch. Ditch is continued to enclose small area to the S. (RCHME) Motte removed for soil. (OS, 1971) Motte and bailey with wet moats. From local description I received, the recently removed motte had stone on its perimeter and from its size may indicate a former shell keep. In the bailey that remains is a low rectangular mound which may mark the site of the former hall or later manor house. There are slight traces of buried foundations in the bailey bank (Stirling Brown). Evaluation in 1989 produced: pottery dated to the 12th-15th century; occupation evidence on the platform within the moat (Trenches III, IV & V); stone rubble and other evidence within the moat (Trench II); further occupation evidence outside the moat, including a hearth and a wall (Trench VIII), post holes and yard surfaces (Trench I). (Jones, 1989) Site visit, documentary research, description and interpretation as part of PhD research by Neil Phillips. Remains are barley recognisable due to later development of the site (Phillips). (Herefordshire SMR)

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSO417388
Latitude52.0446090698242
Longitude-2.85057997703552
Eastings341760
Northings238810
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Shoesmith, Ron, 2009 (Rev edn.), Castles and Moated Sites of Herefordshire (Logaston Press) p. 221
  • Phillips, Neil, 2005, Earthwork Castles of Gwent and Ergyng AD 1050-1250 (University of Wales) p. 148 Download from ADS
  • Salter, Mike, 2000, Castles of Herefordshire and Worcestershire (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 51
  • Stirling-Brown, R., 1989, Herefordshire Castles (privately published) p. 13
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 209
  • 1981, Herefordshire Countryside Treasures (Hereford and Worcester County Council) p. 43
  • RCHME, 1931, An inventory of the historical monuments in Herefordshire Vol. 1: south-west p. 198 No. 26 online transcription

Journals

  • Shoesmith, R., 1999, 'Archaeology, 1999, Report of Sectional Recorder ' Transactions of the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club Vol. 49.3 p. 438
  • Sterling Brown, 1989, 'Earthworks NW of Madley Church' Herefordshire Archaeological News Vol. 51 p. 27-30 (plan)
  • Sterling Brown, R., 1988, 'Preliminary Results of Castle Survey' Herefordshire Archaeological News Vol. 50 p. 44
  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 112 p. 77-124
  • 1924, 'Madley and Whitfield, Fourth Field Meeting, Thursday August 28th' Transactions of the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club p. xxi

Other

  • Jones, A., 1989, Madley: an archaeological evaluation.. City of Hereford Archaeology Unit.