SWERFORD CASTLE

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DESCRIPTION

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Earthwork remains of a 12th century motte and bailey castle and an associated enclosure. It survives as an extant earthwork monument at the centre of the village. Part of the bailey has been destroyed. It may have been used later as a windmill tump. Scheduled.

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(SP 37243117) CASTLE (NR) (Site of) (1)

Motte and bailey with strong counterscarp bank north of the church built of piled limestone, with oval enclosure beyond to the north-east. Pottery from the motte-top and bailey in 1938 was dated to the mid-twelfth century. (2)

A small motte and bailey with earthworks to the NE consisting of a series of small platforms including a circular one which would appear to be either the remains of a dovecote or windmill. Superficially the whole earthwork appears to be a ring motte but on closer examination is seems probable that the motte, at SP 37243119 has been cut back internally forming the present slightly crescentic mound. Part of the bailey has been destroyed by an extension to the church graveyard.
Resurveyed at 1:2500 (3)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

Ordnance Survey 6" NSL

( 2a) General reference

Oxfordshire Archaeological Society Report No 84 pp 85-93

( 2) D F Renn 1968 Norman Castles in Britain

1968 Page(s)318

( 3) Field Investigators Comments

First OS Archaeology Field Investigator 12/05/1970

(4) Scheduled Monument Notification

English Heritage Schedule Entry 26/07/1996

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