Motleys Castle, Idsworth

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Motleys Copse; Blendworth

In the civil parish of Rowlands Castle.
In the historic county of Hampshire (Modern Authority of Hampshire, 1974 county of Hampshire).

The earthwork remains of a ringwork and bailey of probable C11 or C12 date, located within Motley's Copse. The ringwork comprises a circular platform surrounded by a defensive bank and outer ditch. The inner platform is internally sub-divided by 2 low earthen banks which radiate from the central well. The larger bailey abuts the ringwork to the west and forms a semi-circular area enclosed by a bank and outer ditch. The bailey is internally sub-divided by 2 intersecting, crescent-shaped banks and ditches, creating 2 inner loops and a large outer area which is in turn sub-divided by a linear ditch. The site lies within the boundaries of the medieval hunting forest of Bere and the Hundred of Finchingdean, owned by Robert, Earl of Arundel. It is suggested that the ringwork and bailey may have formed one of a number of strongholds he defended against Henry I before being banished in 1101.

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 SU72481218

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; 242822

County Sites and Monuments Record number; 22757

• Web site links
  • http://www.hants.gov.uk/hampshiretreasures/entries/v06p277e01.html
• Books
  • Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles of Wessex (Malvern) p38
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p189
    Renn, D.F., 1973 (2edn), Norman Castles of Britain (John Baker)
    Williams-Freeman, J.P.,1915, An Introduction to Field Archaeology as Illustrated by Hampshire (London) p282-4, 379
• Journal Articles
  • Hughes, Michael, 1989, 'Hampshire Castles and the Landscape 1066-1216' Landscape History Vol2 p27-60
    King, D.J.C. and Alcock, L., 1969, 'Ringworks in England and Wales' Château Gaillard Vol3 p90-127
    Williams-Freeman, J.P., Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society Vol6 p346