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Higham Ferrers Motte and Bailey Castle, with Ponds, Warren and Dovecote is a Norman fortification located in Northamptonshire. The site comprises a substantial motte and bailey earthwork, likely dating to the late eleventh or twelfth century, representing a characteristic form of early Norman military architecture. The castle was accompanied by associated medieval features including fishponds, a warren for rabbit breeding, and a dovecote, demonstrating the economic and domestic functions that extended beyond purely defensive purposes. Though the castle itself did not develop into a major stone fortress, these remains preserve important evidence of Norman settlement and exploitation of the landscape in the East Midlands.
Higham Ferrers Motte and Bailey Castle, with Ponds, Warren and Dovecote is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1012113. View the official record →
Higham Ferrers Motte and Bailey Castle, with Ponds, Warren and Dovecote is a Norman fortification located in Northamptonshire. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1012113.
Higham Ferrers Motte and Bailey Castle, with Ponds, Warren and Dovecote 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 1012113.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including 'Chichele College': the remains of the medieval college of Higham Ferrers (0.1 km), Churchyard cross in St Mary the Virgin churchyard (0.2 km), Market cross 44m north of the Town Hall (0.2 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Higham Ferrers Motte and Bailey Castle, with Ponds, Warren and Dovecote'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.
Higham Ferrers Motte and Bailey Castle, with Ponds, Warren and Dovecote stands on Great Oolite Group, bedrock that formed in the Bathonian. The rock here is sandstone, limestone and argillaceous rocks.