Wightwick Motte

Description

'U' Mound-site of, suggested site of a possible Motte or Millmound. The mound is 12m in diameter and 0.7m high. The ditch is visible only as a slight scarping of the slope. Excavations in 1955 revealed that the mound was not of prehistoric origin but was probably medieval. The excavators discovered that the centre of the mound had been dug up and robbed in the 1920's. (PastScape)

Close to Wightwick Mill is tumulus or burial mound, on opposite side of road are remains of an old fort or earthwork. Fieldnames, such as Tilbury Camp, Campo de Tettenhall & others found in old Deeds, indicate military nature (Jones, 1894). Section cut across mound 1955 at request of Tettenhall Council as they were proposing to bulldoze it. Revealed mound could not have been prehistoric as fragmentary brick & coal was found on old turf line below mound debris. Centre had been robbed out in 1920's by boys from Wolverhampton Grammar School, working under an unknown master. No sherds or artefacts found. Posthole on perimeter of mound is only evidence of timber structure but it was surrounded by a side ditch at least 15' deep & probably c 30' wide. Total lack of artefacts seems to indicate either structure was never finished or occupation was temporary. Excavation concluded either hastily erected motte to control valley, or possible mound for a mill (Oswald). On summit of prominent natural hill are traces of mound. 12m average diameter, 0.7m ditch visible as slight scarping of slope. Base of fill further scarped by ploughing. Excavation trench c1m wide, 9m long left open. Driven from SW to centre of mound where enlarged into square pit. Red sandy soil containing small pebbles similar to natural subsoil with traces of old turf-line (OS cards). J. P. Jones mentions a mound on fields just across the Bridgnorth Rd from Wightwick Mill & says that these fields stretching up to Grove Lane were known as Low Hill fields (Hancock). (Wolverhampton and Walsall HER)