Monument record 1978/2 - Dodleston Castle

<1> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), /No.46 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

<1> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), /No.46 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

Dodleston Castle. Small Motte & bailey castle immediately west of the churchyard. Motte stands in east half of bailey. Flat top is c.13m across. Motte is c.3.3m high surrounded by a ditch c.2.3m deep. No trace of building foundations. Bailey consists of a bank and ditch. Best preserved in east where ditch has an average width of c.6-7m and bank is 3m high. Also outer bank 1.5m high. No trace of entrance across bailey or to Motte. Ditch of Motte & bailey obliterated in north by building of a rectory and its garden (1) & (2). Site mutilated by a fence running west-east across the site, garden activity mutilating north-east slopes of Motte and fencing and make-up of gardens for three new houses along south and west bailey ditch (1).

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ36SE9 1975 (Index). SCH2487.

<3> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Ormerod G 1882 2/847 (Book). SCH1389.

In 1086 the manor of Dodleston was held by Osberne Fitz Tezzon. It was the site of the seat of the Boydells and later passed to the Redishes. Within the site was erected a later mansion which was the property of the Manleys of Lache. This was probably the HQ of Sir William Brereton during the siege of Chester and is now taken down (1) & (3).

<4> Williams C P & McKinder R, 1986, Plan, Dodleston Castle (Graphic Material). SCH2645.

<5> Hanshall, J. H., 1817-1823, The History of the County Palatine of Chester, /305-6 (Book). SCH1382.

<6> Mackenzie J D, 1896, The Castles of England: Their Story and Structure. Volume II, 2/170 (Book). SCH3090.

<7> Royal Archaeological Institute, 1845-Present, Archaeological Journal, 46/201 Clark G T 1889 (Journal/Periodical). SCH338.

<8> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 25/151 Harrison W 1907 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<9> Cathcart - King D J, 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum, /67 (Book). SCH512.

<10> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), 13501 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

<10> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 13501 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

Site includes flat-topped Motte, slightly damaged on N side, c.13m diameter at summit and 3.3m high. It is surrounded by a ditch on all sides except N, ditch is c.2.3m deep x 7m wide and is mainly dry. Bailey is bounded by a bank & outer ditch, bank c.7m wide by 1.5m high. Ditch remains waterlogged in South and is 6-7m wide & 3m deep. It is partially infilled on East side. A dry outlet channel 2.5m wide and 33m long issues from the SE corner of the outer ditch (10).