Styford Motte, Bywell

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameStyford Motte, Bywell
Alternative NamesTiefort
Historic CountryNorthumberland
Modern AuthorityNorthumberland
1974 AuthorityNorthumberland
Civil ParishBywell

A large, artificial conical-shaped mound with a strong ditch surrounding on three sides. On the south there is a steep, natural slope to the river valley below. The mound is 5m high on the east, and the summit slopes slightly upwards to 6.6m high on the west. The ditch is deepest and widest on the north where the approach is from higher ground. The whole earthwork has been mutilated by much quarrying. Ridge-and-furrow ploughing runs up to the perimeter of the ditch. There is no apparent outer bank. Situated with a commanding view to ES and W, the earthwork is defensive, and is quite characteristic of a motte (F1 JLD 17-MAY-56).

Styford motte was built in the 12th century, and was the caput of the Bolbec family (Dodds 1999). (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

Henry I granted the lands here to Walter de Bolbec (d c.1133), which remained with his descendants until 1262. He may have founded the castle. This is one of the suggested sites of the castle of Tiefort, which was mentioned in 1216.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNZ015624
Latitude54.9570083618164
Longitude-1.97730994224548
Eastings401550
Northings562490
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Dodds, John F., 1999, Bastions and Belligerents (Newcastle upon Tyne: Keepdate Publishing) p. 452-3
  • Salter, Mike, 1997, The Castles and Tower Houses of Northumberland (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 97
  • Jackson, M.J.,1992, Castles of Northumbria (Carlisle) p. 112
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 341
  • Sanders, I.J., 1960, English Baronies. A study of their origin and descent 1086-1327 p. 84-5

Other

  • Constable, Christopher, 2003, Aspects of the archaeology of the castle in the north of England C 1066-1216 (Doctoral thesis, Durham University) Available at Durham E-Theses Online