Hope Castle

Hope

Hope vill was a major site having 5 berewicks before the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is argued that the ‘castle' was built soon after this date. However, the mound is low although the silted ditch might suggest that it was once a large moated mound. Deeds dated to the reign of Edward I (1272-1307) are said to mention Hope castle. Despite this a castle here makes little sense. If it were a royal foundation of William I (1066-87) a motte some 30' high with a basal diameter of at least 200' would be expected as is shown in the motte table. Quite obviously this mound is considerably smaller than this. Even as a temporary base while Peak castle was built only a mile away makes little sense. Possibly it is an earlier moot mound, or even an adulterine castle from the Anarchy.

Description
The mound north of the Peakshole Water between the village of Hope and the river is now crescent shaped, allegedly due to erosion from the river to the south. The mound has a diameter of about 150' east to west, but is only 90' north to south, presumably to some 60' having been washed away by the river. This erosion shows the mound is made of local earth and shale, presumably artificially piled up here. The mound is about 10' high. To the north and west is a shallow ditch about 20' wide but only 4' deep. A curving path around the scarp is probably modern.

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