Scheduled MonumentsEnglandGreat Easton motte castle

Great Easton motte castle

England
List entry 1017468
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Great Easton motte and bailey castle is a Norman fortification located in Essex, England, dating to the early medieval period following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The monument comprises a substantial earthen motte surrounded by a bailey, representing typical 11th-century defensive architecture constructed primarily from soil rather than stone. The site reflects the Norman strategy of establishing military control across conquered England through the rapid deployment of such ringwork fortifications, which could be built quickly without requiring extensive quarried stone. The earthworks remain substantially preserved and form an important surviving example of early Norman military engineering in Essex.

Great Easton motte castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1017468. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Great Easton motte castle?

Great Easton motte and bailey castle is a Norman fortification located in Essex, England, dating to the early medieval period following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1017468.

Who is responsible for protecting Great Easton motte castle?

Great Easton motte 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 1017468.

What other scheduled monuments are near Great Easton motte castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Parsonage Farm moated site (2.9 km), Square and circular barrows 260m south east of Parsonage Farm (3 km), Moated site and fishpond east of Lashley Hall (4 km).

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