Monument record 805/1/2 - Inner Bailey, Fotheringhay Castle

{1} The original motte and inner bailey are in good condition

{2} The irregular surface on the top of the motte indicates the remains of a stone keep. A ditch probably originally surrounded the motte, and a ditch of similar size surrounds the inner and outer bailey areas. The subrectangular inner bailey measures 65 x 50m and traces of an earthern rampart remain. At the north east corner of the outer bailey are the remains of a sluice gate associated with the water-management system of the bailey ditches. The outer bailey ditch on the north and west sides has been largely filled in. Aerial photos: NCCAP:TL0693/026-28

{3}Attempt to locate internal features to assist with an interpretation project on the castle. The best results came from the Inner Bailey where the previous layout of buildings could be reconstructed by combining the results of magnetometer and resistivity survey with a descriptive survey of 1625.

{4} The magnetometer plot indicates a series of possible wall foundations in the inner bailey but their alignment and apparent arrangement differs significantly from the conjectural reconstruction proposed by the RCHM inventory. In the north east corner of the plot a linear feature terminates at the site of the gatehouse. The readings are weakly positive and possibly represent a robber trench for a wall foundation to the castle's inner bailey curtain wall. The resistivity survey identified a series of wall alignments suggesting the former presence of a group of buildings around an open area such as a courtyard. Dense balck areas in the survey plot may indicate the rubble of the demolition of the latest buildings.

{6} Single sherd of medieval pottery recovered from TL0623 9294

{7} Earthwork survey and discussion of remains of the castle

Parry, S, 2019, Aerial and geophysical surveys at Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire, October 2017-May 2018 (Report). SNN111625.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.43-7 site 34 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77379.

<2> FOARD G.R., 1984, ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (Unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN50937.

<3> Shaw M. (Editor), 1992, CBA Group 9 Report for Northamptonshire Archaeology Unit: Contracts Section, 22/36 (unchecked) (Newsletter). SNN48018.

<4> Masters, P., 1991, Geophysical Survey at Fotheringhay Castle, Fotheringhay, Northants 1991, (checked) (Report). SNN40394.

<5> IVENS R.J., 2007, Report on An Archaeological Watching Brief at Castle Farm, Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire, 2007, p.5 (checked) (Report). SNN106007.

<6> Cadman, G.E., 1998, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49625.

<7> Albion Archaeology, 2002, Fotheringhay Castle, 'Little Park' and Adjacent Earthworks, Northamptonshire, pp.22-4 (checked) (Report). SNN102585.

<8> Foard, G. and Britnell, T., 2003, Fotheringhay: A New Perspective from the 1640's, pp.140-3 (checked) (Article). SNN103924.

Record last edited

Sep 4 2019 1:57PM