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Brackley motte and bailey is a Norman fortification located in Northamptonshire, England, dating to the late eleventh or early twelfth century. The earthwork comprises a substantial motte, or mound, with an adjoining bailey, or defended enclosure, characteristic of early post-Conquest military architecture. The site represents the typical castle form employed by Norman lords to establish control over the English countryside following 1066, though the castle appears to have been abandoned or superseded relatively early in its history. The surviving earthworks remain visible as raised banks and ditches, demonstrating the substantial engineering effort invested in its initial construction despite the site's subsequent decline in military importance.
Brackley motte and bailey castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1010660. View the official record →
Brackley motte and bailey is a Norman fortification located in Northamptonshire, England, dating to the late eleventh or early twelfth century. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1010660.
Brackley motte and bailey castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1010660.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Site of the medieval village of Astwick and the moated site 1500yds (1370m) SW of Evenley village (2.6 km), Roman settlement 600m north east of Rowler (3.3 km), Beaumont Castle (3.7 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Brackley motte and bailey castle's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Brackley motte and bailey castle stands on Lias Group, bedrock that formed in the Aalenian. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone, limestone and sandstone.