Description

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and bailey castle, a military stronghold built during the medieval period. A motte and bailey castle comprises a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil or stone (the motte) surrounded by, or adjacent to, one or more embanked enclosures (the bailey). Both may be surrounded by wet or dry ditches and could be further strengthened with palisades, revetments, and/or a tower on top of the motte. The castle at Stanage stands on the right bank of the river Teme, and takes advantage of a small natural hillock c. 6.0m high, on which a mound c. 4.6m high, with a summit c.6.0m in diameter has been constructed. A shallow ditch, not more than c.1.0m deep, surrounds the mound on all sides except the north, where the hillside provides a natural defence. Scarps to east and west of the mound define areas which may have been used as the bailey.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval defensive organisation. The well-preserved monument forms an important element within the wider medieval context and the structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information relating to chronology, building techniques and functional detail.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.

Source: Cadw