Scheduled MonumentsEngland'The Hills' motte and baileys

'The Hills' motte and baileys

England
List entry 1010370
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

The Hills is a motte and bailey castle located in Bedfordshire, England, representing the characteristic defensive architecture of the Norman period following the conquest of 1066. The monument comprises an earthen mound, or motte, surrounded by an outer defensive enclosure or bailey, a common design for early medieval fortifications constructed rapidly across England in the decades following the Norman invasion. Such structures served as administrative and military centres for Norman lords establishing control over the English countryside. The earthworks at The Hills remain substantially preserved as archaeological evidence of eleventh or twelfth century settlement and lordship in the region.

'The Hills' motte and baileys is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1010370. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is 'The Hills' motte and baileys?

The Hills is a motte and bailey castle located in Bedfordshire, England, representing the characteristic defensive architecture of the Norman period following the conquest of 1066. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1010370.

Who is responsible for protecting 'The Hills' motte and baileys?

'The Hills' motte and baileys 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 1010370.

What other scheduled monuments are near 'The Hills' motte and baileys?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Apsley Bury moated site and fishpond, south of Apsley End (3.8 km), Moated site and associated enclosure at Rectory Farm (3.9 km), Anglo-Saxon settlement, and probable prehistoric ring ditches, west of Pirton village (4.2 km).

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