Hope Motte

In the civil parish of Hope.
In the historic county of Derbyshire (Modern Authority of Derbyshire, 1974 county of Derbyshire).

Mound and ditch of Hope Motte, an earthwork sitauted on a natural spur overlooking the Peakshole Water in the village of Hope. The mound is likely to date to the early Norman period. From the north, the mound is 4.5m high but from the south the earthwork rises to about 11m above the river, due to the landslope. The mound has been truncated on its southern side due to river erosion, forming a cresent shaped earthwork. The mound has overall dimensions of 45m by 28m. To the north and west of the mound is a shallow ditch about 7m wide and up to 1.5m deep. Due to river erosion, it is not possible to say whether there was ever a ditch around the southern edge of the mound.

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 SK17158343

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; 309460

• Web site links
  • http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_north/110/hopecastle.htm
• Books
  • Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles of the East Midlands (Malvern) p22
    Smith, Michael E., 1992, Castles and Manor Houses in and around Derbyshire (Derby)
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p110
    Cox, 1905, in Page, Wm (ed), VCH Derbyshire Vol1 p375
• Journal Articles
  • King, D.J.C. and Alcock, L., 1969, 'Ringworks in England and Wales' Château Gaillard Vol3 p90-127