Dunham Castle
| Dunham Castle | |
|
Cheshire | |
|---|---|
 Possible motte of the Dunham Castle | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SJ73428742 |
| Location: | 53°22’58"N, 2°23’58"W |
| Town: | Dunham Massey |
| History | |
| Information | |
Dunham Castle was an early mediæval castle in Dunham Massey, in Cheshire.[1] The castle is first referred to in 1173, in a document stating Hamo de Masci held the castles of Dunham and Ullerwood. Documentary evidence suggests the castle at Dunham was still standing in 1323. The castle fell into disuse between 1323 and 1362. The castle probably existed on a mound, or motte, near the site of where Dunham Massey Hall is today.
The motte is 80 feet in diameter and survives 7 feet in height.[1] The site was surrounded by a moat which was later turned into an ornamental lake.[1] Dunham Castle has been confused with Watch Hill Castle in nearby Bowdon, but the two were separate castles, though both probably owned by de Masci.[2]
The mound believed to be the site Dunham Castle was formerly a Scheduled Ancient Monument, but was delisted,[3] and it is uncertain whether the mound is indeed a castle motte.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Dunham Massey - The Gatehouse Gazetteer
- ↑ Mike Nevell (1997). The Archaeology of Trafford. Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council with the University of Manchester Archaeological Unit. pp. 33. ISBN 1-870695-25-9.
- ↑ National Monuments Record: No. 74865 – Dunham Castle