Cockroad Wood Castle
Cockroad Wood Castle was a castle near Wincanton but now in the parish of Charlton Musgrove, Somerset, England.
| Cockroad Wood Castle | |
|---|---|
| Charlton Musgrove, Somerset | |
 Motte of Cockroad Wood Castle | |
  Cockroad Wood Castle | |
| Coordinates | 51.0881°N 2.36374°W |
| Grid reference | grid reference ST746321 |
| Type | Motte and bailey |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Earthworks remain |
History
Cockroad Wood Castle was a motte and bailey castle, probably built after the Norman conquest of England in 1066.[1] The castle sits close to the contemporary Norman castles of Ballands and Castle Orchard, and may have been built a system of fortifications to control the surrounding area.[1] By 1086 the surrounding land was held by Walter of Douai, although no documentary evidence of the castle remains.[2]
The castle was built with a motte and two baileys, running along a north–south ridge, with a possible entrance to the east.[2] The motte today is 13.5m wide, up to 7.5m high and is surrounded by a 1.25m deep ditch.[2] The two baileys were probably linked to the motte by wooden bridges.[2]
Today the castle site is a scheduled monument.
Bibliography
- Creighton, Oliver Hamilton. (2005) Castles and Landscapes: Power, Community and Fortification in Medieval England. London: Equinox. ISBN 978-1-904768-67-8.
References
- Creighton, p.62.
- Motte and Bailey Castle, Cockroad Wood, Charlton Musgrove, Somerset County Historic Environmental Record, accessed 18 July 2011.