Ullerswood

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

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameUllerswood
Alternative NamesUllersford; Ullenwood; Uttersford; Ullerwood; Ullerwada; Ullerwda; Castlewood; Bollin; Oversleyford
Historic CountryCheshire
Modern AuthorityManchester
1974 AuthorityGreater Manchester
Civil ParishRingway

There is a mound at Ullersford which is considered to be the remains of a castle keep. Mentioned as held against the King in 1173. (PastScape)

Ullersford, otherwise Ullerswood, is mentioned as a chase belonging to Hamo de Masci. It is situated by the Bollin, near Castle Mill (Harrison). A mound, probably a shell keep (Clark). Listed as a castle site between 1154-1216 (Brown). (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

Isolated from medieval settlement but by a river crossing and several mill place-names. Manchester airport has altered landscape but this does not look as though ever a major crossing. Presumably a hunting lodge, administering a chase, a mill and some dispersed settlement. Description as a 'castle' possible influenced by propaganda. Harvey lists Uttersford and Ullenwood as two separate sites.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSJ800838
Latitude53.350399017334
Longitude-2.30049991607666
Eastings380000
Northings383800
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Grimsditch, Brian, Nevell, Michael and Nevell, Richard, 2012, Buckton Castle and the Castles of the North West England (University of Salford Archaeological Monograph 2) p. 114
  • Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles and Tower Houses of Lancashire and Cheshire (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 12
  • Nevell, Mike, (ed), 1997, The Archaeology of Trafford (Trafford Metropolitan Borough with University of Manchester Archaeological Unit) p. 33, 35
  • Cullen, P.W. and Hordern, R., 1986, Castles of Cheshire (Crossbow Books)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 69
  • Renn, D.F., 1973 (2 edn.), Norman Castles of Britain (London: John Baker) p. 336
  • Harvey, Alfred, 1911, Castles and Walled Towns of England (London: Methuen and Co)
  • Mackenzie, J.D., 1896, Castles of England; their story and structure (New York: Macmillan) Vol. 2 p. 181 online copy
  • Ormerod, G., 1882 (2edn), History of the County Palatine and city of Chester (London) Vol. 1 p. 533, Vol. 3 p. 535, 586
  • Ormerod, G., 1819, History of the County Palatine and city of Chester (London) Vol. 1 p. 405n (tenurial history) online copy; Vol. 3 p. 307-8 (tenurial history) [online copy > http://archive.org/stream/historyofcountyp03orme#page/308/mode/1up]

Journals

  • Brown, R. Allen, 1959, 'A List of Castles, 1154–1216' English Historical Review Vol. 74 p. 249-280 (Reprinted in Brown, R. Allen, 1989, Castles, conquest and charters: collected papers (Woodbridge: Boydell Press) p. 90-121) view online copy (subscription required)
  • Wm. Harrison, 1902, Transactions of the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society Vol. 20 p. 18
  • Clark, G.T., 1889, 'Contribution towards a complete list of moated mounds or burhs' The Archaeological Journal Vol. 46 p. 197-217 esp. 202 online copy

Primary Sources

  • Stubbs, Wm. (ed), 1867, Gesta Regis Henrici Secundi Benedicti Abbatis; Chronicle of the Reigns of Henry II and Richard I. A.D. 1169-1192 (London: Rolls Series 49) Vol. 1 p. 48 online copy