CUSOP CASTLE

ABOUT THIS MONUMENT

+ / -

EH Visitor Information
Related Monuments
Related Text
Investigation History

More Pictures
Modern Map
Old Map
Aerial Photograph

Monument Types
Sources
Thesaurus
Description

DESCRIPTION

+ / -

The earthwork and buried remains of Cusop Castle ringwork, a natural outcrop enhanced by quarrying and the construction of earthen ramparts. There are now no traces of buildings within the ringwork, but it is believed that the foundations of the medieval structures will survive below ground. Alternatively a number of depressions within the earthwork have been suggested as possible sites of buildings, with a large feature at the rear interpreted as a hall. There has also been masonry identified on site, although not definitely in situ.

There are further possible buildings and a trackway in the castle bailey.

Scheduled.

DETAIL

+ / -

MORE INFORMATION & SOURCES

+ / -

(SO23904140) Castle (NR) (Site of) (NAT). (1)

Cusop Castle. Earthwork "consists of an irregular, oval-shaped court with remains of a ditch on the NE, the counterscarp of which has been largely destroyed by a modern road. The ditch on the N and NW has been entirely destroyed by the road, leaving only part of the scarp to the court. On the remaining sides is a scarp with a berm, below which is a steep natural fall of the ground. Traces of what would appear to have been the entrance to the courtyard appear near the middle of the NE side". (2)

Probably a fortified residence. In the centre are quantities
of loose stones, which are the only remains of the original
mansion. (3)

Cusop Castle transferred from 'Possible' list to 'Main' list of
Welsh Castles. (4)

Cusop Castle, probably 12th-14th century in origin, is basically as described by authority 2 except for the following:- The ditch described to the NE also exists on the E; the scarp on the SW has been destroyed by the building of Castle Cottage, the court consists of two levels separated by an irregular low bank and the slope "below the berm" is artificially scarped for about 5 m.
The centre is now devoid of loose stone, according to local
knowledge, removed for the construction of nearby buildings.
Resurveyed 1:2500. (5)

Additional references. (6-7)

SO 2390 4139. Cusop Castle ringwork. Schedule revision. (8)

Shoesmith states that foundations of a stone curtain have been found on the bank with evidence for buildings on the south. Traces of a stone gateway were found in the 18th century. (9)

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

Plan p.xxxv Page(s)47

( 3) General reference

Hist of Here, 2 pt 1, 1812 286, (J Duncumb).

( 4) Archaeologia Cambrensis

Hogg & King 119 Page(s)119

( 5) Field Investigators Comments

F1 RHK 12-JAN-73

( 6) edited by William Page, F.S.A. 1908 The Victoria history of the county of Hereford, volume one

The Victoria history of the counties of England Sketch plan Page(s)225-6

( 7) 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)204

( 8) Scheduled Monument Notification

EH Scheduled Monument Revision, 09-NOV-2000

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

Monuments in the landscape1 (1994) - vol.2 Page(s)86

(10) General reference

Phillips, N. 2006. 'The Earthwork Castles of Gwent and Ergyng AD 1050-1250' BAR.

MONUMENT TYPES

+ / -

COMMENTS

+ / -

Please help us keep our information accurate let us know if you see any errors on this page.

Further information about monuments may be obtained by contacting NMR Enquiry and Research Services , through the English Heritage website.

EH Prints
English Heritage
Heritage Explorer
Heritage Gateway
Images of England
NMR
ViewFinder