More information : (Centred SK 20932918) Castle Wall. The curtain wall on
the east side from the gatehouse to the keep is 6 feet thick,
and rises to a height of 6 feet. There is evidence that it was
about 20 feet high, with a rampart accessible from its flanking
towers, and by a double flight of open stairs from within. From
the gatehouse westward, the edge of the steep north front was
crested by a curtain wall, probably low and light, of which
there are slight traces. (1)
The bailey is quadrant-shaped, 2 1/2 acres in area, with the
motto at its apex. The bank remains on the east side and partly
on the south, and the more recent curtain wall is carried
on top of them. This curtain wall is of the same masonry as the
three remaining towers, which are excellent Perpendicular work
generally attributed to John of Gaunt. (2)
The curtain wall can be traced as shown on OS 25" 1923 and is
accurately described above. A length of about 30 m. of the wall
on the NW side of the bailey has now been revealed, centred at
SK 20932925. Along the hedgerow forming this side, fragments of
stone and mortar can be seen in tree roots and disturbed earth,
and can be traced to the summit of the motte. (3)
The stonework foundations of the curtain wall were drawn as part
of the RCHME's National forest Project. (4) |