Details

The monument includes Tute Hill motte. It is strategically located on a
plateau close to the confluence of the Rivers Cocker and Derwent and includes
a slightly oval earthen mound measuring approximately 18.7m east-west by 16.6m
north-south and up to 3m high. The summit of the motte has been truncated and
now bears a hollow measuring c.3.5m in diameter and 0.4m deep.
The motte would originally have been constructed during the early/mid-12th
century but was quickly superseded by the present Cockermouth Castle.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Motte castles are medieval fortifications introduced into Britain by the
Normans. They comprised a large conical mound of earth or rubble, the motte,
surmounted by a palisade and a stone or timber tower. In a majority of
examples an embanked enclosure containing additional buildings, the bailey,
adjoined the motte. Motte castles and motte-and-bai1ey castles acted as
garrison forts during offensive military operations, as strongholds, and, in
many cases, as aristocratic residences and as centres of local or royal
administration. Built in towns, villages and open countryside, motte castles
generally occupied strategic positions dominating their immediate locality
and, as a result, are the most visually impressive monuments of the early
post-Conquest period surviving in the modern landscape. Over 600 motte castles
and motte-and-bailey castles are recorded nationally, with examples known from
most regions. Some 100-150 examples do not have baileys and are classified as
motte castles. As one of a restricted range of recognised early post-Conquest
monuments, they are particularly important for the study of Norman Britain and
the development of the feudal system. Although many were occupied for only a
short period of time, motte castles continued to be built and occupied from
the 11th to the 13th centuries, after which they were superseded by other
types of castle.

Despite truncation of the monument's summit, Tute Hill motte survives
reasonably well. It is of particular historical and archaeological importance
because it is the only known example of this class of monument in the Derwent
valley. Mottes were of strategic importance allowing control of movement along
river valleys. More importantly, however, was the role these sites played in
imposing and demonstrating the new post-Conquest feudal order on the area.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
AM Record Form, Charlesworth, D, Tute Hill, (1972)
FMW Report, Crow, J, Tute Hill, (1991)
Leach,P.E., MPP Single Mon Class Description - Motte and Bailey castles, (1988)
SMR No. 849, Cumbria SMR, Tute Hill, Cockermouth, (1987)

Source: Historic England