Castlefacts³

Stippershull

Has been described as a Possible Uncertain

There are uncertain remains

Name	Stippershull
Alternative Names	Stipershill; Stipurashall; Stiper's Hill
Historic Country	Warwickshire
Modern Authority	Warwickshire
1974 Authority	Warwickshire
Civil Parish	Polesworth

Pollesworth, where Modwena an Irish virgin, of whom there went so great a fame for her holie life, built a religious house for Nunnes, which Richard Marmion a noble man repaired, who had his Castle hard by at Stippershull. (Camden)

Stipershill. The place which bears this name, is situate on the Northern side of Anker, a little above Polesworth, where the ground has a naturall and steep descent to the River; and by the form of an old entrenchment, seems to have been a little Fortification. Till Edw. 3 time, I have not seen any thing of its name; but then being written Stipurashall, it was made use of, by the Lords of Tamworth-Castle, for the keeping of their Three-weeks-Court, as it had been (Presumably) in the Marmions time: Which Court continued so kept there, for a long time after, as by severall Records appeareth, all the Tenants of the Fee, doing their suit and service there: but now it is usually kept no more than twice in the yeare. (Dugdale)

Gatehouse Comments

The place-name Stiper's Hill at the given map reference suggest this was the site of Stippershull but there is no archaeological record either in PastScape or the Warwickshire HER for anything here. The Warwickshire HER informs Gatehouse "This area to the E of Polesworth has, however, never been subject to intensive background research or investigation." and they do not seem to have been aware of this potential castle site.An important Court, in a high status landscape, described by Camden as a castle and by Dugdale as a fortification does suggest a medieval fortification of some sort. The lack of remains is a concern but if on the bank above the river perhaps has been lost to river erosion, or destroyed by the railway. A rough racetrack built over the likely location is not going to make reading the medieval landscape any easier but might produce finds.Modern writers, particularly David Cathcart King, seemed to have missed Camden's reference to a castle, although King was certainly aware of Camden.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record

www.warwickshire.gov.uk/web/corporate/pages.nsf/(DisplayLinks)/3A41982A4C60D6E38025755A0058BA9C

OS Map Grid Reference	SK273025
Latitude	52.6195907592773
Longitude	-1.59818994998932
Eastings	427300
Northings	302500