Ringmer; The Mount

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Clay Hill

In the civil parish of Ringmer.
In the historic county of Sussex (Modern Authority of East Sussex, 1974 county of East Sussex).

Clay Hill lies 5km north-east of Lewes . The upstanding earthwork has been described as a medieval ringwork dating to the late Anglo-Saxon/early Norman period. The site is interpreted as a simple motte and is identified as such on Ordnance Survey maps. The mound lies at the bottom of a gentle north-facing slope with views into the Weald. There may have been a bailey but this has been ploughed out. The conclusion of the interim report from the recent excavation is that this is a short lived ringwork of circa 1140 associated with the Anarchy.

This site has been described as a;
Timber Castle.
The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Certain.
Earthworks remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is TQ44901433

Modern Map from Good for landscape form and features	Modern Map from Good for general location
Air Photo from	1st edition OS Map from

Sources of information, references and further reading

PastScape number; 406503

• Web site links
  • http://www.sussexpast.co.uk/clayhill.htm many other pages detailing this excavation are available at http://www.sussexpast.co.uk/
• Books
  • Jones, R., 2003, 'Hastings to Herstmonceux: the castles of Sussex' in Rudling, D. (ed) The archaeology of Sussex to AD2000 (Great Dunham: Heritage Marketing and Publications) p171-8
    Salter, Mike, 2000, The Castles of Sussex (Malvern) p64
    Guy, John, 1984, Castles in Sussex (Phillimore) p136
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol2 p474
• Journal Articles
  • King, D.J.C. and Alcock, L., 1969, 'Ringworks in England and Wales' Château Gaillard Vol3 p90-127
    Toms, Herbert S, 1922, ' Mounts at Lewes and Ringmer' Sussex Archaeological Collections Vol63 p223-226