The prominent set
of earthworks known as Castle Hill, near Bishopton, a few miles west of
Stockton, is one of the finest examples we have in the region of the classic
Norman ‘motte and bailey’ design of fortification.
There is a 38ft
high central, circular mound (or motte), surrounded by a ditch and earth bank.
Around and about various earthworks may be found, providing clear evidence of a
‘bailey’, plus causeways and embankments (nice shot here).
Nearby Bishopton Beck would have fed the moat, rendering the castle an island
of sorts should the need ever arise.
Its origins are
not known, but most probably lie in the early twelfth century. The site
certainly seems to have been pressed into service during ‘The Anarchy’ of
1135-53, with Bishopton Castle
Local legend has
it that the hill is haunted by fairies, and that every time someone tries to
take soil from the site they are warned off by whispering voices. It hasn’t
stopped some, though – as recently as the year 1800 the hill stood as high as
60ft, apparently.
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