Castlefacts³

Crundles Farm, Kidderminster Foreign

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

Name	Crundles Farm, Kidderminster Foreign
Alternative Names	Lightmarsh Farm
Historic Country	Worcestershire
Modern Authority	Worcestershire
1974 Authority	Hereford and Worcester
Civil Parish	Kidderminster Foreign

Earthworks of a probable deserted Mediaeval village, and an artificial mound, possibly a motte and bailey. (PastScape at SO789770)

Site visit following query from local people: A large steep sided round topped mound. About 60 ft high. Old pine trees planted along its east side from south-west to north-east half. Some slippage of soil in this area. Slight bank and shallow ditch near base of the mound running along its east side from southwest to north- east. This definitely has the appearance of man made & of a motte & bailey. The earthworks to the E are suggestive of an associated bailey with a ditch & bank. This may also extend to NE towards the farm (Jackson R. 9.1992. Site visit. SMR Card).

Observed again during a site visit in 2005. The mound appears to be natural, but has been modified through production of the features described above. The overall site morphology supports the motte and bailey interpretation, however, there is no clear data to support pre-medieval activity (A Mindykowski. 2005. HECAS site visit to Grey Green Farm, Wribbenhall on 27th Aptil 2005. CAA 677). (Worcestershire and Worcester City HER at SO788766)

Gatehouse Comments

It is probable the PastScape and Worcester HER record refer to the same feature, despite the slightly different map references, site names and given sources. However, other mounds in the area do seem to be reported as possible archaeological features (see WSM04106, WSM04107, WSM04108) in a manner which may suggest an unqualified or inexperience field archaeologist has got carried away and is misinterpreting natural features. The site(s) need to be re-examined by a critical, experienced field archaeologist with castle studies expertise before this can be considered as a possible castle site. The site is not near a church but is not inconsistent either with a 'knights fee' mainly symbolic castle mound or a foresters hunting lodge.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)

1193693

County Historic Environment Record

www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MWR3655&resourceID=1035

OS Map Grid Reference	SO788766
Latitude	52.3871803283691
Longitude	-2.31261992454529
Eastings	378800
Northings	276600