More information : (SJ 34102000) Belan Bank (NAT) Castle Mound (NR) (1)
"Belan Bank", Kinnerley. A motte and bailey castle consisting of a double motte standing to the north of the bailey, rising from it, without protecting ditch. The lower, circular platform, from 4 - 6ft. in height, is surrounded by a smaller mound 14ft. high with a flat summit. The bailey stands 5ft. above the natural level. All the defences are scarps only, but it is probably much reduced from its original strength, and both bailey and lower platform possibly had their own ramparts. (2)
Possibly anciently called "Eggelawe". Most of the mound has been removed. (3)
An oaken "chopper", possibly used as a pattern for making a mould for casting, or more probably some implement for mashing grain, was found many years ago with a stone, possibly lathe-turned which had, clamped to its base, and iron ring for fixing a spindle, at or near Belan Bank. (4) Belan Bank is much as described by Downman and Wall, with the exception that there appears to be the remains of an outer ditch along the south side of the bailey. Resurveyed at 1/2500. (5)
SJ 3410 1998. Belan Bank motte and bailey castle 250m east of Farm Hall. Scheduled. (6)
Mentioned in 1223 when captured by the Welsh. Out of action in 1249. (7)
The motte and bailey has been mapped from aerial photographs by RCHME's Marches Uplands Mapping Project. (8-9) |