Yockleton; The Mount

Description

The motte castle west of Yockleton Hall survives well and is a good example of its class. It will retain archaeological information relating to its construction, age and to the character of its occupation. Environmental evidence relating to the landscape in which the monument was constructed will be preserved sealed on the old land surface beneath the motte and in the ditch fill. Such motte castles, when considered either as a single site or as a part of a broader medieval landscape contribute valuable information concerning the settlement pattern, economy and social structure of the countryside during the medieval period.
The monument includes the remains of a motte castle situated on the eastern tip of a low spur overlooking, to the east and south, the valley of a small stream. It includes a substantial castle mound, or motte, oval in plan with base dimensions of 44m north east to south west by 30m north west to south east. The summit of the motte stands 3m high and measures 24m along its axis and 14m wide. The motte is constructed on the tip of the spur to make maximum defensive use of the topography. The natural approach to the castle would be along the ridge top, and so around the west side a substantial ditch up to 8m wide and 2m deep has been cut across the neck of the ridge to separate the motte from the rising ground to the west. Although no longer visible as a surface feature a ditch will also be preserved as a buried feature around the remaining sides of the motte. A concave hollow cut into the southern quarter of the mound appears to be the result of later activity. No bailey associated with the motte has yet been traced. (EH Scheduling report 1995)

The motte at Yockleton is oval in shape and measures 75ft by 53ft on the summit. It stands 14ft high from the bottom of the 7ft deep ditch which bounds it from the north round the west to the south side. On the east side the ground falls a further 7ft to a mill-race. There is no sign of a bailey (VCH 1908; King and Spurgeon 1965).
The motte has been quarried into on the south side and the ditch is now only recognisable on the west, across the ridge. OS FI 1972 (1977. Ordnance Survey Record Card SJ31SE1). (Shropshire HER)

Comments

The large Domesday manor of Loclehuile was held in demense by the Corbets of Caus. The mound may mark a secondary residence of the Corbets although it would be expected they would have a hall and associated building far more extensive than could fit on this mound so must have had nearby building but there is no evidence of a bailey so only lightly defended.