SEDGWICK 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

+ / -

Earthwork and ruins of a castle probably built in Stephen's reign as a motte and bailey. In 1258 a keep and curtain wall were added, and the whole enclosed in a moat. In 1498 , a house was built on the site. The castle was demolished in 1612. A Saxon gaming piece was discovered during excavations.

DETAIL

+ / -

MORE INFORMATION & SOURCES

+ / -

[TQ 18012698] SEDGEWICK CASTLE [G.T.] (remains of) [T.I.] (1)

It seems likely that some of the walls of which foundations were excavated at Sedgewick in 1923-4 may have been erected between 1066 and 1200. Sedgewick Castle was possibly built during the period 1135-1154. In 1258 the earlier buildings were encircled by two concentric moats and a curtain wall, and protected by a keep of which remains are extant. The Tudor hall and buildings, of which there are remains on the east part of the site, were probably erected c. 1498. Sedgwick Lodge was built c 1600, on the site of the present house and the castle largely demolished in 1612. Bone objects found at Sedgwick, thought to be possibly Saxon draughtsmen, are in Devizes Museum. [See AO/LP/63/27 AO/LP/63/23](2)

Scheduled.(3)

Sedgwick Castle (not Sedgewick - owner, Mr Holder) comprises fragmentary stretches of walling of mortared rough-coursed Horsham stone, 0.6m thick, standing to 2.0m height, within a curtain wall, of which the SW side remains again of Horsham stone but of better workmanship, 1.7m thick, and standing to 4.0m height. There is evidence everywhere of excavation, now overgrown, but no further building remains are now visible.

The site is enclosed by a double concentric moat, now largely dry or marshy. The inner moat is 70.0m in diameter and is up to 3.0m deep and has a low, outer bank on the W side. The outer moat is 140.0m in diameter, and is up to 3.5 in deep, and has an outer bank on the N side and inner and outer banks on the S side.

To the W in Rushetts Gill are two embayed supply ponds, one above the other, waterfilled and in good condition. The N arm of the outer moat opens out onto the upper pond and the S arm onto the lower pond, whilst the inner moat is fed by a narrow channel from the lower pond.

Causewayed entrances lead from the castle site to N and S. That to the N gives access to an outer enclosure contained by a rampart on the N side and by remains of a bank on the E side. Within, is a fishpond still waterfilled, formerly fed from a spring (St Marn's or Nun's well, see TQ 12 NE 2) and issuing out into the upper supply pond to the W.

A causewayed entrance on the E side is probably modern. W of the lower pond is a bank 80.0m in length, probably a spoil heap as no retaining bank is necessary on this side. N of it is a pondbay quarry. The upper pondbay is 45.0m long 2.0m high and has an overspill with modern weirs around the W end within the old quarry.

The lower pondbay is 60.0m long, 3.5m high. with a private road upon it, and with a modern sluice at the W end.

The site is contained within Castle Wood and, apart from paths, is much obscured by undergrowth.

Published 25" survey revised.(4)

Sedgwick Castle, name confirmed. (5)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1961

( 2) General reference

Sx AC 66, 1925, 83-110 plan & photos (S E Winbolt)

( 3) General reference

AM's Eng. Wales. 1961, 89(M.O.W)

( 4) Field Investigators Comments

F1 ASP 17-JUL-71

( 5) Large Scale / Small Scale Map Revisers Comment

SS Reviser May 1987

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