Bury Mount

Bury Mount Motte is the remains of an earthwork motte and bailey fortification or ancient castle, and has been designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The Motte probably dates back to the 11th Century when it was a Norman fortification but over time has been subject to neglect.

Location

The Motte is in the Roman town of Towcester, England, located on the Roman Road of Watling Street now the A5 trunk road which runs from Dover to Wroxeter via London. It is similar to other local Mottes located at Northampton, Buckingham, Little Houghton and Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. It would have been strategically placed to control primary transport routes and river crossings. The Towcester Motte controlled the junction of Watling Street and long distance route from Southampton to Stamford which went through Winchester, Oxford, Brackley and Northampton, now the A34 and A43 trunk roads. The Motte is located in Towcester on the north-east side of the A5 in Moat Lane, at the side of Towcester Town Hall next to St Leonard's Church and east of what was the market square now used as a car park.

Construction

It comprised a small bailey and a tall motte surrounded by a large ditch. The motte may not have been of the standard conical mound form. More historical details are described on the South Northant's Council's website including the restoration project for the motte and all the Moat Lane area. [cite web|title = Moat Lane and Bury Mount restoration|url = http://www.southnorthants.gov.uk/planning_building/624.htm|accessdate = 2008-05-21] .

History

The most likely period for its construction was the Great Anarchy period (1135-1152), when England was divided between the supporters of King Stephen and Empress Maud. It was about the time that the Manor of Towcester passed from the Crown to the St. Hiliary family. The castle would have been used as a symbol of power, been the residence of the lord of the manor's bailiff or reeve, an encampment for troops and cavalry raised during periods of hostility and offer hospitality to the lord and his retinue whilst travelling. It was to be dominated by a large motte surrounded by a ditch and topped by a tower which created both a stronghold and a watchtower.

Documentary evidence shows that in the 15th century there was a gate at the junction of the two lanes leading into the bailey. In this area would be living quarters for the constable of the castle and the small permanent garrison, detached kitchens, a brewhouse, barns and sheds for storage of food and equipment, stabling, privies, a well and accommodation for livestock. It would have been tightly packed with buildings and would have bustled with activity when fully garrisoned.

The traditional view is that earth mottes had palisades around the summit of the motte which was approached by a flying bridge or ladder and within this well defended upper section would have been a tall timber tower. The few excavations of mottes that have occurred show they varied considerably in form. There is the possibility that Bury Mount does not follow the standard form. In 1392 it was described as a mound tower within a moat, which suggests that it would have had a stone tower as a wooden tower is unlikely at that date. Shortly before 1824, possibly whilst they were excavating away the south-west section of the mount to construct a cottage, a "subterraeneous arched passage fifteen yards in length" was found. These two documentary sources suggest that the motte may have been of a similar type to the motte excavated at South Mimms, Hertfordshire in the 1960s. Although the South Mimms motte looked like a typical castle earthwork they found that "the tower was set within the motte, and the entrance to the castle was gained via a tunnel through the motte into the tower". Most of the mound at South Mimms had been revetted so that little of the motte was visible. It was probably built around 1141 by the Earl of Essex. If the Towcester motte is of this form then it would be rare survival.

In 1392, during the ownership of Reginald de Grey, Baron Grey of Ruthin, a record of the manor in Towcester was made. Within the castle site was the manorial hall aligned north-south, which would have housed the bailiff and important guests and also be the place where the manorial court was held. It had chambers at both ends. The southern chamber, facing towards the gate appears to have been principal first-floor chamber, usually called a solar, which like the Hall had a stone slated roof. The other chamber was thatched, suggesting that it may have been the bailiff's accommodation. Adjacent was a detached kitchen which with a stable attached. Both were thatched with straw. There were two great barns which were "at a distance" plus an oxhouse with stable and carthouse under one roof, a dovecote and a sheepfold for 200 sheep.

In the late 15th century the Manor castle appears to have been vacated and a new Manor House constructed in Park Street Towcester. Part of this building still survives and is known as the Mint House.

In the winter of 1643/4 Towcester became the winter headquarters of the Royalist Army under Prince Rupert. The town was re-fortified and Bury Mount was converted into a platform for 2 canon which was probably slighted when the Royalists left in the spring of 1644. From then on Bury Mount was used as an orchard and then as gardens for a cottage built at the foot of the mound. The cottages have now been demolished.

Restoration

South Northanmptonshire Council have plans for restoration of the Moat Lane area in Towcester including Bury Mount. Camlin Lonsdale, one of the UK’s leading landscape architecture practices, has been appointed to manage the design and restoration plans for Bury Mount and Mill Stream and how these important features will fit into the expansion of Towcester town centre and the significant expansion of housing in Towcester. [cite web|title = Landscape designer appointed for Bury Mount restoration|url = http://www.southnorthants.gov.uk/news_media/685.htm/GBH_match_page.jsp?ons=South%20Northamptonshire |accessdate = 2008-05-21] .

References

InternetOther
*Baker, G., 1822-34 "The History & Antiquities of County of Northampton".
*Giggins B, 2006 "Bury Mount Castle, Towcester" – pamphlet for Towcester & District Local History Society.
*Kenyon J., 1990 "Medieval Fortifications".
*NCC 2002 "Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey—Towcester'.'
*Pigot & Co.’s "Directory of Northamptonshire 1824".
*Victoria County History 1906 "Northamptonshire, vol.2".
*Whellan, W., 1849 "History, Gazetteer & Directory of Northamptonshire".