Scheduled Ancient Monument: CASTLE HILL MOTTE (SF175)

TL 992 675: 3 sherds circa C12 pottery found 1968 by (see 'Not to be published on web' tab for finder/s and/or findspot/s) per B Brown (S4). ? Further information in B Brown archive. 1975: Castle Hill is a motte about 11 ft high and 40 yd in diameter. It is surrounded by a wet ditch 4-5 yd wide, which, having been cut into the base of the mound, appears to be later. The motte is thickly covered with trees and situated in flat fields of pasture. Roman tiles have been picked up in an area. 1981: Motte thickly covered with trees and dog's mercury weed. Estimate height to be nearer 15 ft than 11 ft. Moat choked with wood in parts. No Roman materials noted in surrounding field - though this would be difficult to see under crop. 1986: Motte overgrown with deciduous trees and scrub. Daffodils on flat top. Weathered heap of earth on NE edge of top(?)soil from an unrecorded excavation. Outer edge of moat is also tree-covered. Moat joins with field ditches to NW and N. It is becoming choked with vegetation and fallen trees. Curvature of field boundaries to E and W suggest bailey. Named 'Castle Hill', adjoining 'Castle Piece' in 1845 tithe. See also Rom.