Horsford Castle Hill
Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Certain Masonry Castle
There are earthwork remains
Name | Horsford Castle Hill |
Alternative Names | Castle Yards; Horsforth |
Historic Country | Norfolk |
Modern Authority | Norfolk |
1974 Authority | Norfolk |
Civil Parish | Horsford |
Motte and Bailey castle; decayed soon after 1431. Known as Castle Hill or Castle Yards. Circular ditched motte with circular bailey to south. Motte not appreciably higher than bailey bank now. Damaged by ploughing in recent years. Aerial photographs suggest a stone keep on motte (?C12) and perhaps barbican between motte and bailey. Some C14 antiquities found. Liddiard interprets the castle as the Malet's hunting ground - a country retreat on the periphery of their estates - or a castle raised for their tenant Waller of Caen. (Norfolk HER)
The motte, which as been considerably mutilated particularly on the N and S sides, measures overall 77.0m. to 85.0m in diameter by 2.3m in height above the ditch which is now for the most part dry. The bailey which lies on the S side, is the best preserved aspect of the feature. It encloses an area 72.0m E to W by 32.0m. transversely within a substantial bank and dry ditch (Field Investigators Comments–F2 RD 20-FEB-81). (PastScape)
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 | TG205156 |
Latitude | 52.6940498352051 |
Longitude | 1.26209998130798 |
Eastings | 620540 |
Northings | 315660 |