Rochford Motte

Description

Despite being damaged by natural erosion caused by the adjacent river, the motte castle on the south bank of the River Teme at Rochford survives well and is a good example of its class. It will preserve archaeological information relating to its construction and occupation. Environmental evidence relating to the landscape in which the monument was constructed will survive sealed beneath the mound and in the ditch fill. The motte is one of a group of such monuments which lie along the valley of the River Teme, possibly positioned to guard crossing places. As such it offers important information relating to the political and strategic management of this valley during the medieval period.
The monument includes the remains of a small motte castle situated on the south bank of the River Teme and 50m north east of Rochford church. It includes an earthen mound 40m in diameter at the base rising 2.7m to a flattened summit 22m in diameter. The whole northern quarter of the mound has been eroded away by the action of the River Teme exposing a complete section through it. A shallow ditch averaging 7m wide and 0.4m deep, from which material would have been quarried for the construction of the mound remains visible around the surviving portion on the south west, south and east sides. There is a lowering of the ditch edge in the north west segment and a slight scoop in the castle mound directly opposite. There is no visible evidence of a bailey associated with the motte. However, cultivation lynchets can be recognised on the valley slopes to the south west of the motte, although these are not included in the scheduling. The parish church and the now derelict Court House Farm stand close by the motte, indicating that the area was a focus for the medieval agricultural community around Rochford. This area, largely through the church, continues to serve this function today. (Scheduling Report)

The motte at Rochford is typical of the mottes along the Teme valley. Its history is not known, although it is probably an early castle. It stands behind the Norman church. The mound, like Homme Castle, seems to have collapsed on itself, filling the ditch. It is about 15 feet high and 50 feet across. The ditch on the north side has been washed away by the Teme. (PastScape ref. Remfry)