A poorly preserved castle mount. (1)
The mound, locally known as Bothamsall Castle, is c 150yds in circumference, with a parapet at the top 70yds in circumference. This is apparently a "Norman" castle mound, and the present high road intersects the bailey, the slight traces remaining on the E side being explained by the rampart having been levelled to allow of agricultural operations. (2)
The bailey is clearly visible on the W (sic) and N. (3)
Motte and bailey. Large motte of red glacial gravel. Summit has a raised rim, perhaps parapet but perhaps caused by seekers after treasure, who may also have been responsible for sunken trenches up its E side. "Home Guard" trenches in this "rim" show no signs of stone wall or of occupation debris. Ditch visible all round. Bailey probably lay to E, half across road and there are faint traces of its land ploughed down (sic). Hollows S of mound - look like old gravel workings. (4)
A motte situated in an oustanding position with excellent all round visibility; the feature has a max height of 4.8m and is in relatively poor condition, quarrying having in part disturbed the profile. The top is saucered to a max depth 1.8m and now supports a small copse of ash and oak, no building remains are evident. The immediate adjacent areas S, E and W have been extensively quarried for gravel (not agriculture as suggested by (2)) and a former bailey cannot now be traced; however the situation of the mound, together with local topography, leaves no doubt that a bailey or court formerly existed. To the N a modern E-W road grazes the motte, N of the road extensive cultivation has destroyed any feature that might have formerly existed. The name "Bothamsall Castle" is still in local use. The lack of early recorded history suggests a possible adulterine origin. (5)
Motte 6m high, top has rounded rampart with drains (externally) 29m (sic). Bailey extends to the E and is cut by the roadway. The ditch and adjacent area is much disfigured by gravel pits. (6)
Morph: 63.1.2 (9)

Data Held: Aerial Photograph (Aerial photograph). SNT2645.

CUCAP RC8-GV105

Data Held: Aerial Photograph (Aerial photograph). SNT2645.

DNR SF1024/21

Data Held: Aerial Photograph (Aerial photograph). SNT2645.

CUCAP RC8-GV106

Data Held: Aerial Photograph (Aerial photograph). SNT2645.

DNR 853/32

Data Held: Ground Photograph (Ground photograph). SNT2646.

4 colour print; 1 BW print; 6 colour slide, CS 34-9, SMR

<1> VCH, 1906, Notts, p 305 (Published document). SNT1383.

<2> Thoroton Society, 1931, TTS, pp 1-3 (Published document). SNT351.

<3> Thoroton Society, 1939, TTS, p 6 (Published document). SNT356.

<4> MOW, 819 (Published document). SNT929.

<5> Colquhoun FD, 1974, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT582.

<6> Hart CR, 1984, AM107 (Unpublished document). SNT754.

<7> Samuels JR, 1985, AM107 (Unpublished document). SNT1230.

<8> Riley DN, Air photos (Aerial photograph). SNT1194.

Other Refs: 844/33, 1024/20

<9> RCHME, National Mapping Programme, Notts - Morph Data (Unknown). SNT1470.