Poulton Lancelyn

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)

There are no visible remains

NamePoulton Lancelyn
Alternative NamesPoulton Hall
Historic CountryCheshire
Modern AuthorityWirral
1974 AuthorityMerseyside
Civil ParishBebington

Poulton Lancelyn was the home of the Poulton Lancelyn family from C12 "The former hall stood at a short distance from the present one, on a high knoll overhanging the dale below, and within the ancient castle of the Lancelyns, the site of which is still (early C19) indicated by slight traces of earthworks, and was remarkably strong, defended by the dale in front and on the two sides by deep ravines issuing from it" (Ormerod). Sully says that traces of the mound and earthworks could still be seen c.1886, and Ellison in 1955 says there were very few remains, but a few yards of walling at the bottom of the Hall garden were evidently part of the castle. It is to this piece of wall (? part of Ormerod's Old Hall) that the OS publication refers. Mr. Lancelyn Green, a descendant of the Poulton Lacelyn family, pointed out two pieces of walling which are the traditional remains of the castle. They are at SJ 33638159 and SJ 33678163 and are of unweathered red sandstone and Storeton stone. The former portion is incorporated in a garden wall and the latter in a barn. Neither is more than 0.3 m. thick and cannot be assessed as part of the castle. There is no trace of earthworks or any evidence of a castle having existed here. Ormerod's description of the site is generally correct, though he exaggerated its natural strength and the high knoll he refers to does not exist (Field Investigators Comments–F1 JR 20-NOV-64). (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

Supposed site of Medieval castle at Poulton Hall. King writes "some nondescript remains of masonry" There are no traces of earthworks or little evidence of a castle having existed here. Some distance from parish church and isolated, but may be an area of dispersed medieval settlement. This is a site which could have been of some slight strategic value since it overlooks a river crossing and was clearly the home of a family of some importance so it is likely that at during the middle ages it would have been crenellated, but probably not meaningful fortified, beyond its natural position. Ormerod states the manor was held for 20 marks and 'the service of sending four men every third year to repair the earthworks of Doddleston castle'.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSJ336815
Latitude53.3270797729492
Longitude-2.99973011016846
Eastings333630
Northings381590
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

Calculate Print

Books

  • Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles and Tower Houses of Lancashire and Cheshire (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 21 (slight)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 69 (possible)
  • Ellison, N., 1956, The Wirral Peninsula p. 157
  • Ormerod, G., 1882 (2edn-original published 1819), History of the County Palatine and city of Chester (London) Vol. 2 p. 440
  • Sulley, P., 1886, The Hundred of Wirral p. 314
  • Ormerod, G., 1819, History of the County Palatine and city of Chester (London) Vol. 2 p. 246-9 (tenurial history) online copy