Scheduled MonumentsEnglandOngar Castle

Ongar Castle

England
List entry 1002189
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

Ongar Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey fortress located in High Ongar, Essex, constructed in the late eleventh century following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The monument consists of a substantial mound with a flattened summit, the surviving earthwork of what was originally a timber or stone fortification, surrounded by defensive ditches characteristic of early Norman castle design. The castle occupied a strategic position within the honour of Rayleigh and played a role in Norman control and administration of the Essex landscape during the medieval period. The site survives today as an important archaeological monument demonstrating the military architecture and settlement patterns of post-Conquest England.

Ongar Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1002189. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Ongar Castle?

Ongar Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey fortress located in High Ongar, Essex, constructed in the late eleventh century following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1002189.

Who is responsible for protecting Ongar Castle?

Ongar 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 1002189.

What other scheduled monuments are near Ongar Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Bowl barrow 50m north-west of footbridge: one of three round barrows on Shelley Common (2.1 km), Bowl barrow 90m north-west of the footbridge: one of three round barrows on Shelley Common (2.1 km), Moated site in Fortification Wood (4.8 km).

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