Clifford Hill
Northamptonshire
Recent
radio carbon dating by the Round
Mounds Project has confirmed a
building date for the motte
from the early Norman
period. The site has no known medieval history, but its sheer
size would indicate that it is a royal work, probably constructed by
King William I during his pacification of England immediately after the
battle of Hastings in 1066. Presumably the castle was abandoned
in favour of Northampton castle. As this does not appear in
Domesday Book it is possible that occupation at Clifford Hill continued
until after 1086. The name of Clifford Hill is recorded from the
thirteenth century.
Description
The
large mound of Clifford Hill lies to the north of Little Houghton
commanding an old ford over the River Nene. The site name
probably comes from the slight cliff overlooking the river ford.
The motte stands exceptionally high at about 45' and has a basal
diameter of some 400'. The mound top
is nearly 100' across and was used as a bowling green in the
seventeenth century. Surrounding the mound is a ditch up to 15'
deep. To the north, towards the river, lies a bank up to 10' high
which seems to have formed part of the castle defences. The south
side of the motte collapsed while the castle was still in use as the
south ditch was recut to take account of this.
Copyright©2019
Paul Martin Remfry