MOUNT ALSTOE

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An Anglo-Saxon moot mound or a motte and bailey castle surviving as an earthwork. The mound is irregular in shape and is surrounded by a heavily silted ditch. Investigations have shown that there is no trace of any castle structure on the mound. Weak earthworks, perhaps forming a burgus, and the presence of Norman pottery suggest that it was used as a motte. Further work is required to ascertain its nature.

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(SK 893119) Mount Alstoe (NR). (1)

Mount Alstoe is a fine example of a motte and bailey castle, dating from the late 11th to middle or late 12th century. It was excavated in August 1935; no evidence of a timber structure was found. The absence of stonework suggests the site was not occupied or reconditioned after the mid - 12th century and pottery found supports this.

A series of enclosures have been added to the north and east sides of the bailey, possibly representing a fortified settlement (burgus) with its fields. A deep, wide ditch, cut into the solid ironstone (but now silted up) surrounds the motte. Pottery finds from the mound, ditch and bailey include fragments of globular cooking pots and open bowls. They are apparently of Norman date and all of the same character, possibly from the kilns at Stamford. (2)

A small motte with a weak bailey; not a good example as stated above. The adjoining enclosures are small agricultural plots. Evidence of desertion can be seen immediately to the SE of the motte. Under permanent pasture. (3)

Scheduled. (4)

Scheduled monuments, previously Leic 165 and 169 (see SK 81 SE 3), now combined under new title and monument number, Leic 169. (5)

SK 8940 1199. Alstoe Moot and part of Alsthorpe deserted medieval village (see SK 81 SE 3)
A substantial mound, identified as a moot or meeting place. The mound is irregularly-shaped, 35m in diameter, and 5.0m high, and is surrounded by a heavily silted ditch which is 8.0m wide and 1.5m deep.
Scheduled (RSM) No. 17009. (6)

Analysis of the castle in relation to its Mediaeval landscpe, the church, manor etc. (7)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1958

( 2) The Antiquaries journal : journal of the Society of Antiquaries of London

G C Dunning. 16, 1936 Page(s)394-411

( 3) Field Investigators Comments

J Baird/23-FEB-1972/Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigator

( 4) Scheduled Monument Notification

DOE (IAM) Anc Mons Eng 3, 1978, 55

( 5) Scheduled Monument Notification

Eng Heritage Record Form, Plan, 24-1-89

( 6) Scheduled Monument Notification

English Heritage SAM Amendment Leicestershire 04-SEP-1991

(7) Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society transactions

73, 1999 Page(s)19-33

RELATED MONUMENTS

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Monument Name/No

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Description

ALSTHORPE
BURLEY

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A Saxon settlement mentioned in Domesday but deserted by the 15th or 16th century, surviving as low earthworks.

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