More information : [SO 67337584] Castle (site of) (1)
The site of the old castle of the Mortimers (but see SO 67 NE
8). It was surrounded by a moat the position of which is still
in evidence and to this day is called the Castle Ditch. The
College and Elementary Schools together with other houses adjacent
to the churchyard stand on ground once partly occupied by the
castle buildings or its precincts.
No moat is shown on O.S. 25", 1884.
In the late 18thc. remains of the castle still existed,
foundations were from time to time dug out and coins were found.
These were in the possession of a Mr. Holland, solicitor, who died
in 1781.(3) (2-4)
There are now no visible remains of this feature. The whole area is
built over. (5)
Assessed for scheduling but rejected. A small part of the motte survives as an earthwork about a metre high, but the rest has been landscaped since the late 19th century. An archaeological evaluation in the bailey encountered Mediaeval structures and pottery dating to the 12th century. A small oven or kiln was also asociated with sherds of Roman and Medaieval pottery. Normal planning controls should apply. (6)
John Leland visited the site, probably between 1535-1543 and noted that a castle had been here and that it was still known as "Castle Dyke" (7)
The castle may have been built in the mid 12th century and destroyed in 1154. By 1261 it had become the main manorial court for Mortimer family lands in south-east Shropshire. (8)
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