Roundbury

Description

Ring Motte and Bailey. A inner work is approximately 115 by 80m with a 1.4m high outer bank and a 0.5m high inner scarp. There is a crescent shaped outer work to the west the ends of which almost abut the inner work on the north and south sides. (PastScape)

Roundbury is situated on the crest of a flat-topped hill and comprises an oval shaped 'inner' work approximately 115.0 metres by 80.0 metres with a 1.4 metre high outer bank and a 0.5 metre high inner scarp. There is a crescent shaped 'outer' work to the west the ends of which almost abut the inner work on the north and south sides. In spite of the name the plan of Roundbury suggests a Medieval ringmotte and bailey rather than an IA work. (PastScape–ref. Field Investigators Comments F1 MJF 01-APR-71)

An oval shaped earthwork is situated on a hilltop overlooking the River Lynher (b2, b3). The earthwork is approx 115m by 80m with a 14m high outer bank and an 0.5m high inner scarp. There is a crest-shaped outer earthwork to the west, the ends of which almost abut the inner earthwork on the north and south sides. The plan of the earthwork suggests a medieval ring motte and bailey rather than an Iron Age round, but the name implies the latter. Only excavation will verify the assumption. (Cornwall & Scilly HER)

Comments

It is a hill top site not near settlement but close to a road. This is an area of non nuclated settlement and the site is a mile from the parish church. Little referenced. Most castellologists do not feel this is a medieval castle and that the form is that of an IA round and associated enclosure with a superficial morphological resemblance to a ringwork and bailey. Cornish rounds are a particularly difficult feature to differentiate.