Clothall Castle
Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Other/Unknown), and also as a Questionable Fortified Manor House
There are earthwork remains
| Name | Clothall Castle |
| Alternative Names | |
| Historic Country | Hertfordshire |
| Modern Authority | Hertfordshire |
| 1974 Authority | Hertfordshire |
| Civil Parish | Clothall |
The moat has a particular significance through its close association with the contemporary deserted medieval settlement at nearby Clothall. Extensive related remains of buildings around the moat as well as horticultural earthworks and ditches indicate that settlement at this site developed in importance through time.
The monument includes a trapezoidal moated site and associated earthworks near the crest of Hickmans Hill, Clothall. The moat is aligned east-west with a single causeway facing south. The site has maximum external dimensions of about 90m and tapers to 60m on the western side. The moat is up to 5m wide and 1.5m deep and although not water filled shows signs of dampness. There is also a dry feeder channel 18m long connecting with a fishpond on the north-west corner of the moat. The moat is surrounded by an outer bank on all but the southern side. Opposite the entrance on the north-western side of the island is an area of uneven ground which marks structural evidence for earlier buildings. A low terrace platform about 8m wide extends along the eastern side of the moat. In the field east of the moat are a series of features including a linear earthwork 0.5m high and 6m wide. There are also a number of ditches crossing the field which form an integral part of the water management complex. (Scheduling Report)
Earthworks of castle, later used as a manor house, and alleged site of a house belonging to Clothall Leper hospital. Inhumations have been found on the site, suggesting it may have been the site of the leper hospital burial ground. A dry homestead moat, circa 74.0m East-West by about 80.0m North-South overall, with an original entrance on the south side. The arms are 8.0m wide and 2.0m deep, with a retaining bank on the North and West sides. To the west of the moat is a banked Mediaeval boundary ditch and also traces of a supply ditch to the North-West corner of the moat
(PastScape)
Semi-circular ditched enclosure beside lane east of Hickman's Hill with irregular quadrilateral in eastern half. Two mounds may mark the site of a gatehouse. The hospital of St Mary Magdalene was translated here 1303-07. (Renn)
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 | TL271314 |
| Latitude | 51.9674491882324 |
| Longitude | -0.150230005383492 |
| Eastings | 527180 |
| Northings | 231470 |
