Monument record 812/1 - Benefield Castle

The earthwork and buried remains of Benefield Castle, a medieval ringwork castle believed to have been constructed in the mid 12th century. It went out of use before 1315. The remains include a rectangular platform upon which are visible slight earthworks thought to indicate the remains of the castle's defensive, domestic and agricultural buildings. The platform is surrounded by a broad ditch, representing the original moat. this is in turn surrounded by an earthen bank. The castle is thought to have originated as a defended manor, later superseded by a manor house constructed a short distance to the north east.

{1} The castle certainly existed by 1208 and it may have been built during the mid C12th civil wars. In 1298 it was already being described as an old castle, and by 1315 it was referred to only as the site of the castle. Part of a wall was still standing in the early C18th. Surviving earthworks include a slightly raised rectangular island surrounded by a ditch 2.5m deep and with an outer bank 1m high, but have been modified by later ridge and furrow. There is no trace of buildings.

{2 and 3} Early maps show an entrance on the east side and the moat is still water-filled.

{4} During inspection it was noted that the base of the moat on the south side contained some ash and other debris including late C19th early C20th glass and pottery fragments. No recent dumping or infilling was observed. A small pond has been dug within the boundary of the SAM but no visible stratigraphy or finds were noted.

{5} The date of the erection of the castle at Benefield is unknown, but it was built before 1208 and may be one of the many thrown up during Stephen's reign. (1135-54).

{11} The unstratified rim sherd located in the moat at Benefield Castle displays similarities to CTS 306, a sandy greyware fabric, with a date range of c. AD ?1100-?1400. The sherd is from a large rounded jar with everted rim.

{13} As described by authy {17}. Published survey (25" undated) revised.

{16} SP 98718845. The remains of Benefield Castle, a medieval ringwork castle dating from the mid 12th century. It went out of use before 1315. The remains include a rectangular platform upon which are visible slight earthworks thought to indicate the remains of the castle's defensive, domestic and agricultural buildings. The platform is surrounded by a broad ditch, representing the original moat. This is in turn surrounded by an earthen bank. The castle is thought to have originated as a defended manor, later superseded by a manor house constructed a short distance to the north east. Scheduled.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.18 site 6 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<2> 1824, Enclosure Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN35307.

<3> 1848, Benefield Tithe Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN35308.

<4> CADMAN G.E., 1999, Benefield Castle Inspection, (checked) (Report). SNN46964.

<5> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.76-77 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100370.

<6> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.99 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1958, 1950s/60s Ordnance Survey 6 Inch Mapping Series (SP98NE), (unchecked) (Map). SNN35310.

<8> Ministry of Works, Ancient Monuments in England and Wales, 1955, p.50 (unchecked) (Report). SNN60094.

<9> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, NCCAP:SP9888/005 (unchecked) (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<10> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP98NE2 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<11> HYLTON T., 1999, Finds From Benefield Castle, (checked) (Report). SNN47078.

<12> Lanning K.; Pearson V.; Walker D., 1995, Castles in Northamptonshire: A Resource Pack for Teachers, (unchecked) (Educational Resource Pack). SNN75536.

<13> Seaman, B H, 1962, Field Investigators Comments, F1 BHS 17-APR-1962 (Note). SNN113373.

<14> Cathcart King, D J, 1983, Castellarium anglicanum : an index and bibliography of the castles in England, Wales and the Islands. Volume II : Norfolk-Yorkshire and the islands, p. 315 (Book). SNN112899.

<15> TAYLOR C.C., 1974, FIELDWORK IN MEDIEVAL ARCHAEOLOGY, p. 100 (Uncertain). SNN58049.

<16> Scheduled Monument Notification, EH Scheduling amendment, 21-FEB-1997 (Note). SNN113001.

<17> PEVSNER N., 1961, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p. 99 (Series). SNN113374.

<18> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire I (North-East), 890190 (Archive). SNN113295.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:17PM