Llancillo Castle
Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Certain Masonry Castle
There are masonry footings remains
| Name | Llancillo Castle |
| Alternative Names | |
| Historic Country | Herefordshire |
| Modern Authority | Herefordshire |
| 1974 Authority | Hereford and Worcester |
| Civil Parish | Llancillo |
Remains of a Motte and Bailey. The motte is circular and is the only part of the castle currently covered by the Scheduling, about 8 metres high and 39 metres in circumference at the base, and surrounded by a dry ditch and an outer rampart. Around the the top of the Motte, which is 15 metres across are traces of rubble walling which may be associated with a shell keep. Further pieces of re-used stone and ashlar here and at the adjacent church site's enclosure wall suggest a substantial structure or keep at the site. The castle baileys have not survived well, but current evidence suggests that enclosures formerly existed to the north and west of the motte. The castle is probably late 11th century in date. (PastScape)
Circular motte about 43 yds diam surrounded by dry ditch with outer rampart extending for about 20 yds along W side and widened at S end into slight mound, around top of motte are traces of rubble walling of a dormer keep or structure but now mostly covered with soil. On either side are traces of scarps, banks etc which are probably of later date, but some scarps enclosing a small stream on N side of site poss formed part of additional defences. 40 yds NW of motte is small rectangular mound about 2' high and in field on E side of stream and about 190 yds E of motte is small portion of deep ditch and traces of banking (RCHME) Motte has soil covered walls 3-4' high around summit. Ditch and outer bank very clear except where has been removed to drain ditch. Farmer believes land has never been ploughed. Plan of motte with bailey to W (schedule does not cover). Masonry reveals shell keep & foundations of building on V west side of bailey NE of church. (Kay) Members of the archaeology section of the Woolhope Club visited the site on 05/11/89. It is described as having a polygonal keep (probably a shell keep). There are signs of two small semi- circular, buttress towers flanking the entrance, and possibly a further two
There appears to be the footing for a gaderobe on the east side. Further discussion is made of a possible tower on the end of the counterscarp bank on the west side. The bank of the stream on the N side appears to be partially revetted with a stone wall. A sketch plan is given (Halliwell, 1990). (Herefordshire SMR)
This site is a scheduled monument protected by law
Not Listed
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | SO367255 |
| Latitude | 51.9247703552246 |
| Longitude | -2.92175006866455 |
| Eastings | 336710 |
| Northings | 225540 |
