Castles in Shropshire

Motte and Bailey Castles

Many of the early castles in England and Shropshire were constructed using earth and timber, and are known as motte and bailey castles.

The motte was either a natural hill or a man-made structure of earth piled high to make a high point. On top of the motte stood a tower made of timber or stone. This was the strongest point of the castle, and was the lord’s residence. Around this tower would be a wooden palisade or fence.

Below the motte was the bailey: an area enclosed by a ditch, an earth bank and another palisade. Within the bailey were several buildings, usually of wood, such as stables for the horses and accommodation for the soldiers and servants.

There are 75 motte and bailey castles in Shropshire. They date from between 1075 and 1100.

Although there are so many motte and bailey castles known archaeologically, it is interesting that only three - Shropshire, Oswestry and Holdgate are mentioned in the Domesday Book.

The Holdgate castle of the Domesday Survey in 1086, would not have looked like it does today. The present motte is dated to the 13th century, and there is remains of a medieval wall which adjoins the farmhouse.

Another type of early Norman castle was a ringwork. These fortifications were earthwork enclosures topped with a timber palisade and encircled by a ditch. They differ from motte and bailey castles because they do not have a motte. Some were, however, provided with a bailey like Marche Hall ringwork, near Pontesbury. Some other Shropshire ringworks are Aston Botterel and Hawcock's Mount.