Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Kings Castle
Hob Uid: 188200
Location : Somerset Somerset West and Taunton Wiveliscombe
Grid Ref : ST0970028200
Summary : The earthwork remains of an Iron Age hillfort covering most of the hill is much mutilated by quarrying activity. It is also heavily wooded. Human remains were found in 1914 but have not been dated. Various Neolithic flints including arrowheads, borers, scrapers, cores, blades and a knife have been found on the surface and were deposited with Taunton Museum. Two hoards of roman coins have also been found (see ST 02 NE XX). Scheduled.
More information : [Centred ST 0967 2820] CAMP [G.T.] (1) King's Castle, Castle Hill, Wiveliscombe, an earthwork occupying nearly all the hill, much mutilated and defaced by quarrying on a large scale. Except for the central area, which is arable land, the remainder is considerably wooded. There was probably an inner rampart originally, several feet in height above the central area; below this a considerable scarp followed by a ditch and bank and a second scarp below. Much-weathered human bones were found in 1914, lying on the rampart slopes and ditch by the late C.A. Lovegrove - (Somerset County Mus. Acc. No. A704-6) and also at another time a red sandstone spindle whorl was found while ploughing (illustrated) (2) [For plan see Illustrations Card] Multivallate Hill fort (4). (2-4) This appears to be a univallate hillfort. Only at the southern end have the defences, a rampart with outer ditch and counter scarp bank - survived major mutilation by quarrying. Here there is a well preserved staggered entrance. Re-surveyed at 1:2500 Many Neolithic flints, including arrowheads, borers, scrapers, cores, blades, and a knife; were found on the surface of the hillfort in 1950 and 1952 by W.A. Seaby. They are in Taunton Museum. (5) ST 097 282. Castle Hill, Wiveliscombe. Listed in gazetteer as a multivallate hillfort covering 4.0ha. (6)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : OS 6" 1962
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details : (H. St. George Gray)
Page(s) : 65-7
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 92, 1946

Source Number : 3
Source :
Source details : (C.H. Bothamley)
Page(s) : 505
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 2, 1911

Source Number : 4
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 37
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 5
Source :
Source details : F1 GHP 26-FEB-66
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 6
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 198
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 62, 1979

Source Number : 7
Source :
Source details : 07-Jul-99
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Neolithic
Display Date : Neolithic
Monument End Date : -2200
Monument Start Date : -4000
Monument Type : Findspot
Evidence : Find

Monument Period Name : Iron Age
Display Date : Iron Age
Monument End Date : 43
Monument Start Date : -800
Monument Type : Hillfort
Evidence : Earthwork

Monument Period Name : Uncertain
Display Date :
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Human Remains
Evidence : Find

Components and Objects:

Period : Neolithic
Component Monument Type : Findspot
Object Type : ARROWHEAD, BORER, SCRAPER (TOOL), CORE, BLADE, KNIFE
Object Material : Flint

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : SO 441
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 32170
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : ST 02 NE 4
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1966-02-26
End Date : 1966-02-26

Historic England Research Records

Kings Castle