More information : (TF 91601925) CASTLE (NR) (Remains of)
(TF 91621933) HALL YARDS (NR)
(TF 91501947) BURGHWOOD MANOR HOUSE (NR) (site of)
(TF 91531953) MOAT (NR) (1)
Motte and bailey castle at Mileham consisting of a mound with two baileys, the inner perhaps a recutting of the original, (presumably the 'Hall Yards' of the OS published entry). (2)
The lower part of a square keep of flint rubble projects from the top of the mound, the interior being dug out but overgrown. There are traces of a plinth on the west side, and a buttress at the east end of the south side (2). Mentioned 1153 (a). (3-4)
M C Taylor excavated in 1968 for the Norfolk Research Committee across the ditch and bank on the east side of the rectangular enclosure attached to the north-east side of the outer bailey. Sherds of 12th/13th century pottery were found in the old soil
line and bank structure.
(This is the enclosure which contains the OS 'Burghwood Manor House (Site of)' entry, said to have existed temp Henry III (5).) (5)
2500 survey revised. (6)
A very fine example of a motte and bailey partly under grass but, in places, heavily overgrown. The complete works consist of a steep sided narrow-topped motte and triple bailey, all in good condition. There is no surface evidence to support the theory that the inner bailey is a recutting, in fact the whole moat appears to be original and contemporary, elsewhere the description of authy 2 is correct.
Norfolk Directory (1835) mentions "Burghwood Manor c 1346 belonged to the Earls of Richmond. Sir Edward Cove (Lord Chief Justice) was, in 1549, born in the manor house enclosed by the outer ditch of the castle". There are no surface disturbances at the published site of the manor house, and the described "outer ditch" is actually a well constructed defensive homestead moat doubtless contemporary with the earlier building.
It appears clear that there has been continuous occupation of the site by the manorial lords for some centuries. The manor house superseding the castle, and the present Hall - which is mainly 19c - superseding the manor house.
Castle remains and homestead moat resurveyed at 1:2500.
Modern alterations; AM survey of 3 1 73 revised. (7-8)
The castle was disused by 1302. (9) |