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Mountsorrel motte and bailey is a Norman fortification located near Mountsorrel in Leicestershire, dating to the early post-Conquest period, likely established in the late eleventh century. The castle comprises a substantial motte, or earthen mound, surrounded by bailey enclosures, representing a common defensive strategy employed by Norman settlers across England following 1066. The site occupies a prominent position overlooking the River Soar valley, a location that would have provided significant strategic control over local communications and resources. Archaeological evidence and documentary records indicate the castle served as an important feudal stronghold during the medieval period, though stone structures were never extensively developed on the site, which remained principally an earthwork fortification.
Mountsorrel motte and bailey castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1010188. View the official record →
Mountsorrel motte and bailey is a Norman fortification located near Mountsorrel in Leicestershire, dating to the early post-Conquest period, likely established in the late eleventh century. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1010188.
Mountsorrel 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 1010188.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Preceptory, boundary, two mounds, fishpond and dam at Beaumont Leys (5.8 km), 'King William's' Bridge See also LEICESTER 195 (6.5 km), 'King William's' Bridge See also LEICESTERSHIRE 195 (6.5 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Mountsorrel 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.
Mountsorrel motte and bailey castle stands on Triassic Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Triassic. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone and sandstone.