Thurlaston Mound

Description

Earthwork remains of a mound, probably a small motte. The mound is approximately 25 metres in width, with a partly filled ditch about 6 metres wide. There is no visible evidence for a bailey. Excavations in 1967 recovered no archaeological features. (PastScape)

A mound at the above grid reference was excavated in 1967. It was constructed of gravel with a 1.5m turf cap. No building foundations or post holes were found. Mr Thompson concluded that it was a small motte, and supposed there to be a bailey to the S or SE. 1968: This mound is low and tree-covered with a surrounding ditch but no visible evidence of a bailey. Even though Mr R. Thompson's excavation was negative re dating, the feature has all the appearance of being a motte and, in plan and profile, is similar to, though smaller than, Allesley Castle. (Warwickshire HER–ref. OS record card)

"The remains of a motte castle are located 300 metres south west of Blue Boar Farm, on the south side of the present A45 (London Road, between Coventry and Daventry). In 1086 the Count of Meulan held land in Bourton previously in the possession of Lewin. In the early part of the 13th century the fee was said to be held by Philip de Esseby and Robert de Garshale of the Earl of Warwick. The Verdons, or de Verdons, are mentioned in connection with the manor of Bourton from early in the 13th century. The motte takes the form of a circular, flat-topped mound measuring approximately 25 metres in width and standing about 1 metre above the surrounding ground level. The top of the mound measures about 13 metres in width. The mound was enclosed by a ditch, although now infilled for much of its length, the course of the ditch is still visible and where the ditch is open it is 0.5 metres to 1 metre deep and about 6 metres wide. The earthworks depicted on early Ordnance Survey mapping indicate a small mound surrounded by a water-filled ditch, apparently crossed by a narrow causeway on its north side. The motte is now grass covered with trees and shrubs lining the ditch. There are a large number of rabbit burrows, particularly on the sides of the mound, revealing a gravelly soil. The motte was subject to an excavation in 1967. the mound was said to be constructed of gravel with a '1.5m turf cap', no evidence of structures, in the form of building foundations or postholes, were found during the excavation. The excavator concluded that the mound represented a small motte and that there would have been a bailey to the south or south east, although no visible evidence of a bailey has been recorded. The area to the north and west of the motte is now occupied by a service station and an embanked slip road has been constructed on the south side of the motte. The area immediately to the west, north and east of the motte has been landscaped, including a grassed mound to the north west." (PastScape–ref. English Heritage Listing File–1-MAY-2000 D Drury)

Comments

Isolated from settlement but overlooking significant crossroads. Excavation apparently not published. The history given by Drury above is from the the VCH but there is absolutely nothing to suggest this was associated with this site, on the edge of the parish/manor, rather than with a manor house near Bourton Church. Gatehouse suspects this is not a motte but something else, the location might suggest a gallows mound perhaps.