Monument record 1689/2 - Castle Hill motte, Malpas

Castle Hill was site of keep of Norman Castle of Barons of Malpas. Castle covered good deal of neighboring ground & church was within castle precincts. Nothing of Norman Castle now visible, except for mound which, 160ft diam. Kenyon suggests church a private chapel to castle but in view of church's previous importance this seems unlikely (1). Castle ditch has been traced for some distance (2). Motte has average height of 3.7m & is grass covered. No trace of bailey or ditch (3). Churchyard may lie on site of bailey. Motte has steep sides & artificially flat top. For some years it carried a bowling green & mound contains 2 water tanks. Surrounding ditch filled & leveled in graveyard & tennis courts. Some fairly recent tree planting on Motte slopes (4). Earliest recorded description is by Wm Webb, who in 1656, & wrote of 'the hill with a castle now ruined & decayed' (5). For A/Ps, see NJH 3495/34, 36, 38 & SRW Malpas 1, 3 & 86 & CUCAP GH86. Large truncated earthwork cone situated in strategic position on a spur of the Broxton Hills. Motte lies N of St Oswald's church and graveyard extends to S & W sides site. Bailey was probably orig attached to S side of Motte but area is heavily disturbed (not included in scheduled area) (6).

<1> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, Kenyon W T 1890 3/163 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.

<2> Mackenzie J D, 1896, The Castles of England: Their Story and Structure. Volume II, 2/176 (Book). SCH3090.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ44NE5/1964 (Index). SCH2487.

<4> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Turner R C 1986 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

<5> Cordon, M, 1979, Archaeological Implications: Malpas, /5 Cordon M 1979 (Unpublished Report). SCH337.

<6> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), 13420 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

<7> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 13420 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

<8> Castlering Archaeology, 2004, Castle Hill Motte, Malpas, Cheshire; Archaeological Watching Brief, R2559 (Client Report). SCH4736.

<9> Castlering Archaeology, 2005, Castle Mews, Malpas, Cheshire; Archaeological Watching Brief., R2562 (Client Report). SCH4733.

<10> Higham N J, 1984-9, Professor Nick Higham's Aerial Photographs, 3495/32, 34, 36 & 38, 18/08/1986 (Aerial Photograph). SCH7659.