Castle Neroche
| Castle Neroche | |
|
Somerset | |
|---|---|
 Eastern earthworks at Castle Neroche | |
| Type: | Motte and bailey on Bronze Age site |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | ST272158 |
| Location: | 50°56’13"N, 3°2’15"W |
| History | |
| Information | |
Castle Neroche is a Norman motte-and-bailey castle on the site of an earlier hill fort in the parish of Curland, near Staple Fitzpaine in Somerset. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.[1]
Location
The hill rises to 853 feet on the northern escarpment of the Blackdown Hills. The area is part of a 35 square mile site covered by a landscape partnership, known as the 'Neroche Scheme' which is establishing trails and a public forest, led by the Forestry Commission.[2]
History
The origin of the name ‘Neroche’ is unknown. One suggestion proposes that it is a contraction of the Old English words nierra and ræcce, a type of hunting-dog,[3] but it is no more than a suggestion. Other sources give the site its alternative name, 'Castle Rache'.[4]
Iron Age
There is little evidence of Iron Age remains in the fort but the situation and shape of the site matches other Iron Age enclosures.[4] There is some indication that the site was strengthened with an additional rampart and outer enclosure.[5]
The site was excavated by Harold St George Gray in 1903.
There have also been nearby archaeological finds of Mesolithic flints,[6] and a Bronze Age copper axe found in 1857,[7] but nothing from the Iron Age nor the Roman period.[4]
Norman castle
The earthworks at the site are larger than would normally be found in a castle from the Norman period, raising speculation that it reused previously developed features.[4]
The castle was probably built by Robert, Count of Mortain in the 11th century.[8][9] Archaeological evidence suggests it was built in several stages. During the first a rampart enclosing seven and a half acres was built. Soon after the Norman Conquest a smaller inner ringwork was constructed. The site was later converted into a motte and bailey, with a corner of the twenty-foot high motte serving as a barbican.[4]
By the early 12th century the castle was no longer in regular use. However, its use was resumed during The Anarchy,[4] a period of civil war and unsettled government during the succession dispute between the supporters of King Stephen (1135–1154) and those of the Empress Matilda. Continued use in the later 12th century may have been by administrators of the surrounding royal forest as a base for operations against poachers.[9]
Air disaster
On 22 November 1945, a Royal Air Force B-24 Liberator crashed into a field after hitting trees on Blackdown Hills between the castle and Buckland St Mary, killing all 27 people on board.[10][11]
Outside links
References
- ↑ National Monuments Record: No. 190295 – Castle Neroche
- ↑ Neroche Scheme
- ↑ "Key archaeological & historic places". Neroche Project. http://www.nerochescheme.org/archaeologyPlaces.php. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "Castle Neroche, Curland". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. http://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/43844. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
- ↑ "Castle Neroche". Forestry Commission. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandDevonBlackdownHillsCastleNeroche. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
- ↑ "Castle name and mesolithic finds, Castle Neroche". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. http://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/55598. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
- ↑ "Bronze age axe find, Castle Neroche". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. http://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/43565. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
- ↑ Adkins, Lesley and Roy (1992). A field Guide to Somerset Archeology. Stanbridge: Dovecote press. pp. 56–57. ISBN 0-946159-94-7.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Dunning, Robert (1995). Somerset Castles. Tiverton: Somerset Books. pp. 33–35. ISBN 978-0-86183-278-1.
- ↑ "Air crash on Blackdowns" (PDF). Somerset County Gazette. http://www.26354.org/history/local/liberator/docs/liberator2.pdf. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ↑ "Air Crash. Liberator hits hillside near Buckland" (PDF). http://www.26354.org/history/local/liberator/docs/liberator.pdf. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- Gray, St G.: 'Excavation at Castle Neroche' (Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society, 1904) vol 49, pp 23-53
- Burrow, E. J.: 'Ancient Earthworks and Camps of Somerset' (1924)
- Davidson, B K.: 'Castle Neroche, an abandoned Norman fortress in South Somerset' (Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society, 1972) vol 116, pp 16-58