Coughton Danes Bank

Has been described as a Rejected Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameCoughton Danes Bank
Alternative NamesCappa Hill; Clappers Hill
Historic CountryWarwickshire
Modern AuthorityWarwickshire
1974 AuthorityWarwickshire
Civil ParishCoughton

Danes Bank: A long rectangular mound crowning the top of Cappa Hill. It is like a gigantic barrow encompassed by a double rampart, terminating on the north side with 2 rectangular enclosures. I have not found another of similar character (Burgess). Rounded knoll called 'Clappers' Hill', in a dominating position. The remains are now slight and disconnected but were strong when Burgess saw them. Described c. 1784 as an old Camp with deep ditches (VCH, 1904). Danes Bank was formerly called 'La Trenche' (date not given but content suggests 12th-13th c.; no mention in EPNS). On it are traces of a row of stakes which, it has been suggested, marked at some time the eastern limit of the royal forest of Feckenham and was used as a deer leap (VCH, 1945). There is nothing extant at Danes Bank to warrant an archaeological association. It is an enclosed/banked area within the precincts of Coughton Park that has been used for major quarry working (gravel extraction), the fact that the quarrying in two places cuts through the Md. pale of Coughton, plus the knowledge that such working had ceased prior to the time of Burgess (1876) suggests a C17/18 date for the industry. The two noted "highest points" on Burgess's plan are spoil/upcast ridges - as correctly portrayed on the 25" - his two "rectangular enclosures" are not traceable, and the "ravine with water" is a deep quarry pit. Whether there was occupation on the hill prior to the industrial working cannot now be ascertained. The site is not particularly defensively strong, is very water-logged, and no record has been encountered re. local archaeological 'finds'. Danes Bank is now under thick bracken with light tree growth (Field Investigators Comments–F1 FDC 11-SEP-68). Scheduled under 'Castles and Fortifications' as 'Danes Bank' (DOE AM's in England 1973 p. 216). (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

Quarry and possibly park earthworks but not a medieval fortification of any type. Burgess is not alone in creating fanciful military interpretations of earthworks although his plans are a fine example of how people can get so carried away. The park was that for Coughton Court, which was a moated medieval manor house of some size and importance.

- Philip Davis

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 ReferenceSP064602
Latitude52.2402305603027
Longitude-1.9067599773407
Eastings406450
Northings260220
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 486 (possible)
  • Salzman, L.F. (ed), 1945, VCH Warwickshire Vol. 3 p. 74 online transcription
  • Willoughby Gardner, 1904, 'Ancient Defensive Earthworks' in Doubleday, H.A. and Page, Wm (eds), VCH Warwickshire Vol. 1 p. 371-3 online copy

Journals

  • Burgess T., 1876, 'Recent archaeological discoveries in Warwickshire (the pre-Domesday Period)' The Archaeological Journal Vol. 33 p. 376-7 online copy
  • Burgess T., 1873, 'Ancient British remains and earthworks in the Forest of Arden' Journal of the British Archaeological Association Vol. 29 p. 39 online copy
  • Burgess T., 1872, Birmingham and Midland Institute, Birmingham Archaeological Society transactions, excursions and reports Vol. 3 p. 87
  • 1784, The Gentleman's Magazine Vol. 54