Harley Castle Hill

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are no visible remains

NameHarley Castle Hill
Alternative Names
Historic CountryShropshire
Modern AuthorityShropshire
1974 AuthorityShropshire
Civil ParishHarley

It has been speculated that 'Castle Hill' in Harley is the site of a motte relating to John de Harley, who accompanied the First Crusade in 1098. However, there is no documentary proof that a castle existed on the site and some consider it to be a natural feature. (Duckers 2006)

Gatehouse Comments

John de Harley of Harley Castle went to the Holy Land in 1098, and later the castle passed by marriage to the Grendons. Castle Hill is a place name, adopted by a C19 house, in a position entirely likely as a castle site. Jackson writes that Castle Hill was a place-name at SJ585013 in 1833, this location is, probably, that of a barrow rather than a castle. The Harley's were certainly a knightly family, holding Harley for service at Montgomery castle. It is certainly possibly they had some form of fortification at their manor house in Harley and a motte is entirely possible.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSJ596012
Latitude52.6071891784668
Longitude-2.59823989868164
Eastings359600
Northings301200
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Duckers, Peter and Anne, 2006, Castles of Shropshire (Stroud: Tempus) p. 78-9
  • Jackson, M.J.,1988, Castles of Shropshire (Shrewsbury: Shropshire Libraries) p. 26-7, 70
  • Gaydon, A.T. (ed), 1968, VCH Shropshire Vol. 8 p. 87
  • Eyton, R.W., 1858, Antiquities of Shropshire (London: John Russell Smith) Vol. 6 p. 230- (tenurial history) online copy

Journals

  • 1882, Salopian Shreds and Patches Vol. 5 p. 15, 61