Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Castle Hill
Hob Uid: 54160
Location : North Yorkshire Selby Kirk Smeaton
Grid Ref : SE4992017220
Summary : Possible promontory fort or enclosure of suggested Iron Age date
More information : [Name centred SE 4987 1725] Castle Hill [GS] AO/LP/59/37 shows published 6" detail enlarged to 1/2500. (1) Castle Hill, Wentbridge, Kirk Smeaton, is classed as apromontory fortress. "Certain vesties of an earthwork are to be seen on a projecting bluff on the south side of the River Went and 1 mile east of Wenrbridge. The older maps of the Ordnance Survey show the western portion as inclosed by an oval line of bank, now destroyed, but on the east are two straight detached pieces of rampart, apparently unconnected with the rest of the work. A little to the east of them is an indentation in the cliff, suggestive of the beginning of a ditch". (2) The remains now consist only of a single earth and stone bank, partly denuded and covered by dense vegatation at SE 4995 1725. This is the more southerly of the VCHs 'two straight detached pieces of rampart apparently unconnected with the rest of the work". All the other features shown on the 1853 6" have been destroyed by quarrying. Castle Hill is a spur overlooking the steep sided valley of the River Went, to the north, and a good situation for a promontory fort. The indentation in the cliff, mentioned by authority 1, is a hollow way to a track descending the easiest path down the side of the valley. There are other similar hollows further to the east, and it may not be connected with the earthwork. It is understood, from the Contractor that further quarrying is to take place and threatens the surviving remains. A 25" survey has been made. (3) Survey of 15-7-60 unchanged. (4) The classification as a promontory fort cannot be accepted uncritically, though the virtual destruction of the site makes any positive identification uncertain. The plan on the 1853 6 in. suggests a simple enclosure with a possible annexe, the surviving portion of which is still quite strong on the ground. The plan is not suggestive of a promontory fort, though the remains may be those of a fortified farmstead enclosure, and may be I.A. (5) SE 499176 Castle Hill, Wentbridge, listed by Challis and Harding as a promontory site incorporating a simple enclosure with possible annex. (6)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" 1853.
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : "VCH Yorks" Vol. 2 1912 p.5.
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : F1 RL 15-JUL-60
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : F2 RWE 21-SEP-64
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : F3 ECW 09-DEC-64
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : BAR 20 pt 2 1975 Later Prehist from Trent to Tyne 52(A J Challis & D W Harding)
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Iron Age
Display Date : Iron Age
Monument End Date : 43
Monument Start Date : -800
Monument Type : Enclosure, Promontory Fort
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Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SE 41 NE 2
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Related Warden Records :

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Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1960-07-15
End Date : 1960-07-15

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1964-09-21
End Date : 1964-09-21

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1964-12-09
End Date : 1964-12-09

Historic England Research Records

Castle Hill