Monnington Court, Vowchurch
Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Certain Masonry Castle
There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains
| Name | Monnington Court, Vowchurch |
| Alternative Names | Monnington Straddle; Mannington Straddel |
| Historic Country | Herefordshire |
| Modern Authority | Herefordshire |
| 1974 Authority | Hereford and Worcester |
| Civil Parish | Vowchurch |
The remains of a Motte and bailey at Monnington court. The motte is 3.4 metres high, oval in shape with its longer axis of 40 metres orientated north to south. A ditch remains on the west and north sides but elsewhere has been filled in. The motte lies on the east side of an almost square bailey surrounded by a now shallow ditch which has a stream running through it. It is possible that this supposed bailey is a natural feature created by the stream course and that if a bailey was constructed as part of the castle complex, it is more likely to be west of the motte below the standing buildings of Monnington Court. (PastScape)
Motte and bailey. Crescent shaped bailey to W of mount. Moat partly wet. About 60 yds x 52 yds rising 12.5' above partly wet moat which surrounds it. (RCHME). Motte 3.4m high oval, longer axis of 40m orientated N-S. Ditch on N & W side, elsewhere filled in. Motte lies on E side of almost square bailey, surrounded by now shallow ditch which has stream running through it. No traces of buildings on either motte or bailey (OS record, 1971). Abbeydore owned until the suppresion much land in Vowchurch including Mannington Straddle where they probably had a grange (suggested 1460) (Kay, R., 1947-52 MS) Moat approx 1' deep at S end to c 8' at N. A wall built across moat on NW not new on moat partially infilled by possible causeway (Scheduling record) A geophysical survey carried out in 2000 (SMR 34273) found traces of a large rectangular stone foundation on top of the motte. This suggest that there had been a stone tower on the motte. (Herefordshire SMR)
'evidence suggests the site is a late period fortified-site and not a motte. On shape and size, the mound would appear to have had little defensive significance to the occupants but would have provided sufficient space for a number of people or buildings.' (Phillips)
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 Reference | SO382368 |
| Latitude | 52.0263481140137 |
| Longitude | -2.90139007568359 |
| Eastings | 338250 |
| Northings | 236820 |
