More information : (TL 19469876) Tout Hill (NR) (1)
Toot Hill - Motte in the north east corner of Cathedral Close. Little is known of its date or history except that it was built by Abbot Thorold of Peterborough (1069-98). It consists of a large circular mound, 120 feet in diameter and 20 feet high, with a flat circular top 35 feet across. Traces of a surrounding ditch survive only on the north west where there is a slight hollow 20 feet wide and 2 feet deep. (2)
Published survey (1:2500) correct. (3)
Tout Hill Close, the area to the north east of Tout Hill, was excavated in advance of development (see TL 19 NE 111). A ditch was found which probably skirts the mound and is presumably part of the circuit of the bailey.
The castle may have been intended to overawe the "burh", which may have lain to the east of the monastery (see TL 19 NE 14). The castle was probably built about 1070 during the turbulent period shortly after the Norman Conquest during which Hereward destroyed the monastery and the town. (4) |