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Nether Whitacre Windmill Hill

In the civil parish of Nether Whitacre.
In the historic county of Warwickshire.
Modern Authority of Warwickshire.
1974 county of Warwickshire.
Medieval County of Warwickshire.

OS Map Grid Reference: SP22969321
Latitude 52.53630° Longitude -1.66280°

Nether Whitacre Windmill Hill has been described as a Timber Castle although is doubtful that it was such.

There are earthwork remains.
Description

A 'motte'. In 1961 ditch was fairly well preserved in places. The mound is located on Windmill Hill. 1967 the ditch had been ploughed away and there was no evidence to suggest that this was anything other than a windmill mound. 1976 the mound, situated on a north-east south-west ridge, measures, at ground level, 25m E-W and 20m N-S. There are traces of a surrounding ditch on the E and S. The summit, at 3m height, has been dug into from the N side to a depth of 1m. The situation would be equally admirable for a motte or mill. It is probable that the feature represents a mill mound modelled out of an existing motte (OS Record). A tree covered mound in the middle of a ploughed field. (SMR record card) I can see no reason to suggest that this mound is anything other than a mill mound (Hingley, R., 1987). (Warwickshire HER)

A motte situated 200 yds. to the North of the village of Nether Whitacre, near the Dog Inn. Ditch fairly well preserved in places. Diameter of Motte E-W 50 ft: N-S 33 ft. Height about 11 ft (Field Notebook (D.J.C.King 17.4.55)). Windmill Hill (published O.S. 25" 1957)at SP 22969321 is as described by King, except that the ditch has, presumably, been ploughed away. There is no evidence to suggest that it is other than a mill mound (F1 FRH 17-APR-67). The mound, situated upon a north east-south west ridge, measures, at ground level, 25.0m east-west by 20.0m north-south. There are traces of a surrounding ditch on the east and south. The summit, at 3.0m height, has been dug into from the north side to a depth of 1.0m. The situation would be equally admirable for a motte or a mill. It is therefore probable that the feature represents a mill mound modelled out of an existing motte (F2 ASP 27-AUG-76). Nether Whitacre. Motte, rather damaged, no sign of bailey. May have ended as a millstead (King, 1983). (PastScape)
Comments

Although not far from the church there is little to suggest this site was ever a manorial centre. According to Dugdale this was a manor of the Marmions, who would not have needed a residence here but it may have been held by a knight in their service. The later manorial centre, with a park, was somewhat to the east at Whitacre Hall where a moat survives. Is there any reasons to believe this was not the manorial centre from the first?
Links to archaeological and architectural databases, mapping and other online resources

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Sources of information, references and further reading
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This record last updated 26/07/2017 09:20:09
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