MEDIEVAL · MOTTE

Motte

Ards, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 6497
Period
MEDIEVAL
Site type
MOTTE
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

Motte is a medieval motte located in County Down, within the Ards Peninsula in Northern Ireland. The monument dates to the Norman period, likely erected during the late twelfth or early thirteenth century as part of the Anglo-Norman colonisation of Ulster. The site consists of an earthen mound characteristic of motte-and-bailey fortifications, representing a typical form of military settlement established by Norman lords across the province. Such mottes served as defensive strongholds and administrative centres for the territorial control of newly conquered lands during the medieval period.

Motte is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 6497. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Motte?

Motte is a medieval motte located in County Down, within the Ards Peninsula in Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 6497.

What period does Motte date from?

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

Who is responsible for protecting Motte?

Motte 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 6497.

What other scheduled monuments are near Motte?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Trivallate rath (3.1 km), Bivallate rath & possible souterrain (3.2 km), Castle espie brickworks powder and explosives store. powder store, cf ihr 2781 (4.9 km).

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