MONUMENT NO. 339655

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The remains of a motte seen as earthworks, recorded as being in existence by 1090. The motte has a flat top and is 80 to 90 feet in diameter, with a slight breastwork. The motte is situated on the edge of a plateau, and 16 feet down the steep north side a ditch with an outer bank embraces half the mound. Lower down is another longer ditch and rampart. It is probable that there was a bailey to the south east. Scheduled.

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(SP 57625492) Castle (L B) (Site of) (1)

The Norman castle at Preston Capes is recorded as being already in existance in 1090. The works consist of a motte, with a flat top 80 to 90 feet in diameter, with a slight breastwork. The motte is place on the edge of the plateau, and 16' down the steep N side a ditch with an outer bank embraces half the mound. Lower down is another longer ditch and rampart. It is probable that the bailey occupied the flatter ground SE of the motte, but the site is occupied by a farm, and no traces are visible. (Bailey on SE side of motte ?). (2)

The configuration of the surviving earthworks point to there having been a bailey to the S and on E-W, shallow depression at SP 5762 5481 may be the remains of its ditch.
See annotated 25" survey. (3)

No change to field report of 7.5.70. (4)

RCHM interprets the fragmentary earthworks S. of the motte to be the remains of later farm buildings associated with Manor Farm rather than traces of a S. bailey. [RCHM plan]. (5)

Listed by Cathcart King. (6)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Annotated Record Map

OS 6" 1955.

( 2) General reference

Armitage ES. 1912. Early Norman Castles Page(s)190

( 3) Field Investigators Comments

F1 BHS 07-MAY-70

( 4a) Vertical aerial photograph reference number

(RAF CPE/UK/1926 5053-4).

( 4) Field Investigators Comments

F2 CDA 29-OCT-76

( 5a) edited by R M Serjeantson and W Ryland D Adkins 1906 The Victoria history of the county of Northampton: volume two

The Victoria history of the counties of England Page(s)109-10

( 5) Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, England 1981 An inventory of the historical monuments in the County of Northampton. Volume III: archaeological sites in north-west Northamptonshire

Monument 1 Page(s)163

( 6) David J Cathcart King 1983 Castellarium anglicanum : an index and bibliography of the castles in England, Wales and the Islands. Volume II : Norfolk-Yorkshire and the islands

2 Page(s)317

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PRESTON CAPES PRIORY
PRESTON CAPES

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Possible site of alien Cluniac Priory founded circa 1090 by Hugh de Legustre, adjoining his castle at Preston Capes. It was removed to Daventry in 110...

MONUMENT NO. 339700
PRESTON CAPES

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Medieval fishponds, comprising two rectangular ponds, lie to the east of the castle and Manor Farm.

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