Preston Capes Castle

In the civil parish of Preston Capes.
In the historic county of Northamptonshire (Modern Authority of Northamptonshire, 1974 county of Northamptonshire).

The remains of motte and bailey castle seen as earthworks, recorded as being in existence by 1090. The motte has a flat top and is 80 to 90ft in diameter, with a slight breastwork. The motte is situated on the edge of a plateau, and 16ft down the steep north side a ditch with an outer bank embraces half the mound. Lower down is another longer ditch and rampart. It is probable that there was a bailey to the south east. Recorded as Ringwork by King.

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 SP57625492

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; 339655

Books

Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles of the East Midlands (Malvern) p79
Pettifer, A., 1995, English Castles, A guide by counties (Woodbridge) p169 [slight]
King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol2 p317
RCHME, 1981, An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in the County of Northampton Vol3, North-west Northamptonshire (HMSO) p163-5
Fry, P.S., 1980, Castles of the British Isles (David and Charles) p282
Renn, D.F., 1973 (2edn), Norman Castles of Britain (John Baker)
Armitage, Ella, 1912, The Early Norman Castles of the British Isles (London: John Murray) p190-1
Downman, E.A., 1906, in Serjeantson, R.M., Ryland, W. and Adkins, D. (eds), VCH Northampton Vol2 p406-7

Journal Articles

Thompson, M.W., 1986, 'Associated monasteries and castles in the Middle Ages: a tentative list' Archaeological Journal Vol143 p310
King, D.J.C. and Alcock, L., 1969, 'Ringworks in England and Wales' Château Gaillard Vol3 p90-127

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This record last updated on Friday, April 6, 2007

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