Summary

Ringwork 430m WSW of Upper Woodbatch Farm.

Source: Historic England

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 26 May 2015. The record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

This monument includes a ringwork situated on the eastern steeply sloping valley side of the Lime Brook immediately south of a small tributary to it. The ringwork survives as a small roughly circular enclosure on the summit of a circular mound measuring up to 38m in diameter and 3.5m high surrounded by a ditch which is dry except on the northern side where the stream flows through it. The interior of the enclosure is somewhat irregular in profile and slightly depressed and is accessed by a slanting causeway to the south. A small enclosure to the east was sometimes described as a possible bailey but is now widely thought to be a natural feature. It is known locally as ‘The Churchyard’ and has been variously identified as a motte or motte and bailey castle, a barrow, an enclosure or as seems most likely a small ringwork.

Other similar archaeological remains in the vicinity are the subject of a separate scheduling.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Ringworks are medieval fortifications built and occupied from the late Anglo-Saxon period to the later 12th century. They comprised a small defended area containing buildings which was surrounded or partly surrounded by a substantial ditch and a bank surmounted by a timber palisade or, rarely, a stone wall. Occasionally a more lightly defended embanked enclosure, the bailey, adjoined the ringwork. Ringworks acted as strongholds for military operations and in some cases as defended aristocratic or manorial settlements. They are rare nationally with only 200 recorded examples and less than 60 with baileys. As such, and as one of a limited number and very restricted range of Anglo-Saxon and Norman fortifications, ringworks are of particular significance to our understanding of the period.

The ringwork 430m WSW of Upper Woodbatch Farm survives well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, development, function, longevity, social, political, economic and strategic significance, domestic arrangements, abandonment and overall landscape context.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
PastScape 106353, Herefordshire SMR 1666

Source: Historic England