Shawell, Catthorpe

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

Site alternatively described as 'castle mound' , 'tumulus' or 'large moated site'. PastScape record reads "Medieval motte and associated mound (part of surrounding defence) surviving as earthworks. The motte comprises a circular, flat topped mound, 3m to 4m high and 35m in diameter with a surrounding ditch 7m wide and 1.5m deep on the south side but not visible to the north. 20m to the south of the motte is a smaller circular mound, approximately 20m in diameter and 1m high, which is the only remaining feature of a series of defensive earthworks known to have existed in the vicinity of the motte." Possible site of castle of Catthorpe. Location next to church and later hall is consistant with castle.

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 SP54117959

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; 340075

• Web site links
  • http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_midlands/140/shawellcastle.htm
• Books
  • Cantor, Leonard, 2003, The Scheduled Ancient Monument of Leicestershire and Rutland (Leicester: Kairos Press) p39
    Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles of the East Midlands (Malvern) p43
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p255, 256
    Wall, 1907, in Page, Wm, (ed), VCH Leicestershire Vol1 p275 [where called a barrow]
• Journal Articles
  • Creighton, O.H., 1997, 'Early Leicestershire Castles: Archaeology and Landscape History' Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society Vol71 p30-1
    Cantor, Leonard, 1977-8, 'The Medieval Castles of Leicestershire' Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society Vol53 p39