MEDIEVAL · MOTTE & BAILEY

Motte & bailey

Down, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 7240
Period
MEDIEVAL
Site type
MOTTE & BAILEY
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)

Overview

History & significance

Motte & Bailey is a medieval motte and bailey castle located in County Down, Northern Ireland. The monument comprises the characteristic two-part earthwork structure typical of early Norman fortifications, with a raised mound or motte designed to support a wooden or stone tower, adjoined by an outer defensive enclosure or bailey. Such castles were widely established throughout Norman-controlled territories in Ireland during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries as instruments of military occupation and territorial control. This example represents an important surviving example of the early medieval defensive architecture employed during the period of Anglo-Norman expansion in Ulster and the broader Irish landscape.

Motte & bailey is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 7240. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Motte & bailey?

Motte & Bailey is a medieval motte and bailey castle located in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 7240.

What period does Motte & bailey date from?

Motte & bailey dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte & bailey. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Motte & bailey?

Motte & bailey is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Ni. The official designation reference is 7240.

What other scheduled monuments are near Motte & bailey?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Mill chimney - ihr 03065 (4.3 km), Killowen. killowen medieval church (ruined) & graveyard, with 2 cross-carved stones (5 km), Castlewilliam. castle (6.7 km).

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