Kibworth Harcourt; The Munt

In the civil parish of Kibworth Harcourt.
In the historic county of Leicestershire (Modern Authority of Leicestershire, 1974 county of Leicestershire).

Earthworks of a Medieval motte and bailey. The bailey survives as very slight earthworks (Creighton writes isolated motte not associated with bailey). C19 excavation revealed pebble pavements and extensive signs of burning; alleged Roman pottery was also recovered (Creighton writes this excavation was of a different mound at SP678949). The motte is a flat-topped, irregularly shaped mound, approximately 35m maximum width and up to 4m high, surrounded by a ditch up to 2m deep and 8m wide except on the north side where it has been partly filled. The top is an irregularly shaped area measuring a maximum of 22m. An entrance causeway 6m wide is situated on the south-west side. Pastscape writes "Two large depressions on the north and south sides of the mound are the result of C19 excavations." I did not observe these. Has also been suggested as a large barrow; King writes motte, possibly raised on a barrow.

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

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SP68079449

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; 342379

• Web site links
  • http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_midlands/141/kibworth.html
• Books
  • Cantor, Leonard, 2003, The Scheduled Ancient Monument of Leicestershire and Rutland (Leicester: Kairos Press) p33
    Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles of the East Midlands (Malvern) p36
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p254
    Nichols, J., 1804, The History and Antiquities of the County of Leicestershire Vol2 pt2 p639
• Journal Articles
  • Creighton, O.H., 1997, 'Early Leicestershire Castles: Archaeology and Landscape History' Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society Vol71 p29
    Cantor, Leonard, 1977-8, 'The Medieval Castles of Leicestershire' Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society Vol53 p38
    Trollope, Rev. E., 1863, Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society Vol2 p244-5
    Anon, 1837, Gentlemans Magazine (New Series) Vol7 pt1 p641