Belvoir Town Defences

Has been described as a Possible Urban Defence

There are no visible remains

NameBelvoir Town Defences
Alternative NamesBelveder; De Bello Videre
Historic CountryLeicestershire
Modern AuthorityLeicestershire
1974 AuthorityLeicestershire
Civil ParishBelvoir

Town and associated defenses possibly within castle bailey have vanished.

Belvoir was referred to as Belveder in the Pipe Rolls in 1130. In 1145, the town was referred to as De Bello Videre in a charter, and also in other documents. The name Belvoir is derived from the french 'belvedere' meaning beautiful view. (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

The french derived name seems to suggest the 'town' was constructed to serve the castle (ie. not a Saxon settlement). Quite how large this settlement was may be questioned.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSK820330
Latitude52.8846397399902
Longitude-0.782410025596619
Eastings482000
Northings333000
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

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Books

  • Creighton, O.H. and Higham, R.A., 2005, Medieval Town Walls (Stroud: Tempus) p. 217, 267
  • Bond, C.J., 1987, 'Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Defences' in Schofield, J. and Leech, R. (eds) Urban Archaeology in Britain (CBA Research Report 61) p. 92-116 online copy
  • Beresford, Maurice, 1967, New towns of the Middle Ages: town plantation in England, Wales and Gascony (London: Lutterworth Press) p. 461-2
  • Nichols, J., The History and Antiquities of Leicestershire Vol 2.1 p. 75-82 online copy

Journals

  • Creighton, Oliver, 2006, ''Castles of Communities': Medieval Town Defences in England; Wales and Gascony' Château Gaillard Vol. 22 p. 75-86
  • Bond J., 2001, 'Earthen Castles, Outer Enclosures and the Earthworks at Ascott d'Oilly Castle, Oxfordshire' Oxoniensia Vol. 46 p. 65-6 (Appendix: Norman earthwork castles with failed towns in outer enclosures) online copy