HEYWOOD CASTLE

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DESCRIPTION

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A motte and bailey castle which survives as a circular motte, rock-cut ditch and cresent shaped bailey with an outer bank. The motte is up to 6.2 metres high with a 1.8 metre deep central depression. The castle is thought to date to the 1130s and 1140s. Scheduled.

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MORE INFORMATION & SOURCES

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(SS 67931246) Motte and Bailey (NR). (1)

A typical motte and bailey (see plan), situated in Heywood Wood. On the north side of the castle is an additional rampart 2 ft high and a ditch 3 ft deep and the same width, making an arc 200 ft long, possibly a barbican (2). There are no indications of any masonry being used (3). A slightly curved agger 45 ft long and facing the river, stretches between this site and the motte and bailey (at SS 67831188: SS 61 SE 10) (2). (2-3)

An exceptionally well preserved motte and bailey situated at the end of a spur and overlooking the wide Taw valley.

The motte is up to 6.2 metres high with a 1.8 metre deep central depression and a rock-cut outer ditch.

There are two gaps in the bailey, the northern one is possibly original. The ditch on the south side of the bailey has been badly damaged by a forest track.

The 45 ft long agger (should this be 45 ft wide ?) was not traceable although there is a wide forest track running from the earthwork back along the top of the spur. In any case the two sites are separated by a steep escarpment.

Resurveyed at 1:2500. (4)

Scheduled listing. (5)

Listed by Cathcart King. (6)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

Ordnance Survey 6" 1964

( 2) edited by William Page, F.S.A. 1906 The Victoria history of the county of Devon : volume one

The Victoria history of the counties of England Page(s)621-22

( 3) Devonshire Association reports and transactions

95 Page(s)197-207

( 4) Field Investigators Comments

First OS Archaeology Field Investigator 19/09/1973

( 5) Scheduled Monument Notification

English Heritage Schedule Entry 23/12/1996

( 6) by David J Cathcart King 1983 Castellarium anglicanum : an index and bibliography of the castles in England, Wales and the islands. Volume I : Anglesey - Montgomery

1 Page(s)120

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