Burrow Mump, Burrowbridge

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Othery Burrow Mump

In the civil parish of Burrowbridge.
In the historic county of Somerset (Modern Authority of Somerset, 1974 county of Somerset).

Prominent natural formation which may have been artifically scarped and resembles a possible motte, surmounted by ruins of St Michael's Church. Excavations in 1939 located a number of terraces which producted Medieval material. Medieval pits were identified to the west of the church. The church may originally have been part of an adulterine castle. The present church was constructed in 1724 and replaced an earlier one, the plan of which has been traced by excavations. The finds are in Taunton Museum. This prominant feature controls route across Somerset levels. 'Reassessment of the documentary evidence suggests that these provide no support for the castle theory as references to it can either be relocated or do not necessarily refer to a castle' (Dunning 1995). Not a good position for a long term centre but possible short term use as castle can not be excluded in my view.

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 ST35903052

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; 192181

County Sites and Monuments Record number; 44199

• Web site links
  • http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/details.asp?prn=44199
• Books
  • Prior, Stuart, 2006, A Few Well-Positioned Castles: The Norman Art of War (Tempus) p68-109
    Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles of Wessex (Malvern) p69
    Dunning, Robert, 1995, Somerset Castles (Somerset Books) p72
    Dunning, R.W. (ed), 1992, VCH Somerset Vol6 p72
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol2 p446 [possible]
    Renn, D.F., 1973 (2edn), Norman Castles of Britain (John Baker)
    Burrow, Edward J., 1924, Ancient Earthworks and Camps of Somerset (Cheltenham and London) p70
• Journal Articles
  • Dunning, R., 1995, 'Burrow Mump: a revision' Somerset Archaeology and Natural History Vol138 p111-116
    Aston MA, Murless BJ., 1978, 'Somerset Archaeology 1977' Somerset Archaeology and Natural History Vol122 p130
    Gray H.St G., 1942, 'Addendum to excavations at Burrow mump 1939' Somerset Archaeology and Natural History Vol87 p108
    Gray H.St G., 1940, 'Excavations at Burrow Mump 1939' Somerset Archaeology and Natural History Vol85 p95-133