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GAINS CASTLE

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A 13th century ringwork and bailey situated on a spur of high ground overlooking the village of Ashley. The bank and external ditch of the ringwork enclose a pentagonal area of 0.55 hectares. The bank varies in size from 6 metres wide and 1.5 metres high on the west side of the enclosure to over 13 metres wide and 3 metres high on the east. The ditch, which has been infilled on the west side by the construction of a road, also varies in size, from 5 metres wide and 1.5 metres deep on the north and south sides to over 8 metres wide and 2 metres deep on the east. In the north east corner of the bailey are the substantial flint footings of walls. These may represent the remains of a hall referred to in a documentary record of 1250, and recorded by William Freeman in 1913 as being 33 metres long with an internal round tower 13 metres in diameter on the north side. The outer bailey lies to the west of the ringwork and is defined by much slighter earthworks. The Church of St Mary the Virgin lies within the outer bailey to the north of the ringwork. The church dates to the 12th century and archaeological excavation carried out at the time of its restoration suggested that it was preceded by domestic occupation which must therefore predate the construction of the ringwork castle. In addition to references of the hall, historical documentation records that in 1200 William Briwere, the holder of the Manor of Ashley, was given a licence to fortify, or re-fortify, his castle.

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