CLIFFORD CASTLE

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The remains of a Motte and bailey castle, probably constructed between 1067 and 1070, with additional 13th century fortifications in stone. The motte is 55 metres in diameter and 8 metres in height above the base of the ditches and 5 metres above natural ground level. It is surmounted by a shell keep the walls of which are 2 metres in thickness and 8 metres high. An earthen causeway connects the summit with a large bailey, some 2 acres in area, divided into two parts. Excavations in 1952 and 1953 revealed the outer gatehouse. Scheduled.

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(SO 243456) Clifford Castle (NR) (remains of) (NAT) (1)

Clifford Castle was held by the Clifford family in the 13th century. The surviving remains stand on a large motte on the W side of the castle. They form an irregular polygonal court, with a gatehouse towards the NE, a hall on the NW front and round towers at the other three angles. The whole structure may well have been built at the beginning of the 13th century.

The motte, 6ft high above the bottom of a dry ditch, has an outer bailey on the NE and a smaller triangular-shaped court or bailey on the SW (2). (See plan). (2)

Excavations in 1952 and 1953 have revealed the outer gatehouse. (3)

Clifford Castle, a motte and bailey with later stone fortifications, is situated upon a very steep-sided natural spur above the S bank of the River Wye.

The spur has been cut across with two deep ditches, the soil thrown up between them to form a large motte, 55.0m in diameter and 8.0m in height above the base of the ditches and 5.0m above the natural ground level. It is surmounted by a shell keep as described above, the walls of which are up to 2.0m in thickness and approx 8.0m in height. An earthen causeway connects the summit with a large bailey to the E, some 2 acres in area. Only half the bailey was included in the stone defences and the remains of the barbican gate, standing to 2.0m in height, survive in the centre with projecting portions of curtain wall to N and S. The other half of the bailey was enclosed by an earthen rampart of which stretches remain, and below it the sides of the spur have been scarped.

Footings of the curtain wall can also be traced along the W side of the bailey to either side of the causeway and a length of walling, 2.0m thick stands across the motte ditch N of the causeway.

A break in the bank on the E side of the bailey occupied by a modern drive, is probably the site of the original entrance.

Below the S slopes of the motte is a marshy ditch, 75.0m in length, 9.0m in width, 1.0m deep, contained by a retaining bank.

The triangular-shaped tip of the spur W of the motte may have served as a second bailey.

The motte is in good condition though much overgrown. A modern house with gardens, and outbuildings, occupies the bailey.

Published 1:2500 survey revised. See G.Ps. (4)

A castle at Clifford is recorded in Domesday, reputed the work of William Fitz Osbern (suggesting a date of construction between 1067 and 1070), a probable reference either to this site or another at Old Castleton SO 283457 (SO 24 NE 2). Seized by the King from Earl Thomas of Lancaster in 1322, the castle was also provisioned against an attack by [Owain] Glendower in 1403. (5)

SO 243457. Pre-1086 (1067-70?) earth mound. 13th century stone castle with gatehouse and fire round towers. (6)

Foundation reinforcement in timber noted in curtain wall and in cornerbracing of hall. (7)

Additional reference. (8-9)

The motte and bailey of Clifford Castle, was seen as earthworks on aerial photographs and was plotted during the Marches Uplands NMP. (10)

Additonal reference. (11)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1964

( 2) Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, England 1931 An inventory of the historical monuments in Herefordshire. Volume I: south-west

1931 Page(s)39-40

( 3) Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club : transactions

(D Iron) 34 - 1952-3 Page(s)27-8,82-4

( 4) Field Investigators Comments

F1 ASP 06-JUL-72

( 5) by David J Cathcart King 1983 Castellarium anglicanum : an index and bibliography of the castles in England, Wales and the islands. Volume I : Anglesey - Montgomery

1 Page(s)203,215

( 6) Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club : transactions

(J W Tonkin) 44 - 1982-84 Page(s)31

( 7) General reference

Soc of Antiquaries London Occasional Paper (New series) 2 1981 'Timber and Iron Reinforcement in Early Buildings' 28, 31, 32, 33 (R P Wilcox)

( 8) by Geo T Clark 1884 Medieval military architecture in England. Volume 1

Page(s)393-7

( 9) Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, England 1931 An inventory of the historical monuments in Herefordshire. Volume I: south-west

1908 Page(s)234

(10) Oblique aerial photograph reference number

NMR SO2445/1-2 05-JUL-1989

(11) by Ron Shoesmith 1996 A guide to castles and moated sites in Herefordshire

Monuments in the landscape1 (1994) - vol.2 Page(s)77-80

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