Monument record 86/1/2 - Early C19th Redoubt

Probable 19th Century redoubt seen as earthworks, overlying ridge and furrow. Summary from record 86/1/4: Crop/soilmark: Good quality photography

{1} In the grounds of the Cavalry Barracks, Weedon Bec is a small Norman castle. It occupies a low spur of land, and
comprises a circular space surrounded by a rampart and ditch, and has an entrance to the E. As it is being used for horse exercise it is being gradually damaged.

{4} Redoubt, probably an early 19th-century military work. Although it has been described as a Norman castle {1} there is no doubt that it is post medieval in origin and associated with the military use of the area following the construction of Weedon Barracks in 1803. Clearly it lies on top of ridge and furrow though the latter has now been ploughed out. On the OS map {2} the site is described as a 'Redoubt' and is shown as a rectangular feature with a projecting south end. It may have been constructed as part of a defensive system around the barracks but its tactical situation makes this doubtful and a more likely explanatioin is that it was constructed as part of military training soon after 1803.
The site has been badly damaged by later activity but enough remains to indicate the original form as a redoubt, that is a small detached stronghold without provision for flank defence. It consists of a bank of bastion form some 1.5m high with the point of the bastion facing north west. The north east angle still survives though the south one is now rounded. The entrance is to the east; below the banks is a surrounding ditch, now only 0.5m deep, with a causeway across it on the east giving access to the interior. The latter is disturbed by trenches, probably of recent date.

{7} From the plan in {1} it is clear that this is the same earthwork as that visible on the AP's {8} at SP 62155977. On {2} this is labelled "Redoubt, and is shown rectangular with a projecting S end, a shape still evident on the AP's. These also show that the earthwork almost certainly overlies rig and furrow. A Norman origin can therefore probably be discounted, and the work is likely to have been constructed in connection with the activities of the military centre (founded 1805).

{9} A moat like feature with a causewayed entrance on the east and a double concrete dam across the ditch on the west. It is 'D' shaped with the square corners to the north. The island shows considerable signs of disturbance suggesting small rooms or trenching. Standing within a now abandoned military area a comparatively recent origin is very probable.

<1> 1927, Associated Architectural Societies Reports, Downman EA; 38/361 (unchecked) (Series). SNN523.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1834, First Edition Ordnance Survey 1 Inch Map Series (Sheet 52), (unchecked) (Map). SNN281.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP65NW10 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.194 site 2 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<5> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, Used with NMR & CUCAP collections (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<6> Kenyon J.R., 2008, Castles, Town Defences and Artillery Fortifications in the United Kingdom and Ireland: A Bibliography 1945 - 2006, (unchecked) (Bibliography). SNN106309.

<7> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, JP Greene (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<8> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, (RAF CPE/UK/1994, 1268-9 13.4.47). (Photographs). SNN104890.

<9> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, F1 BHS (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<10> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), 889289 (Archive). SNN112900.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2025 7:27PM