Adderley Castle Hill

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Ethelreds Castle

In the civil parish of Adderley. In the historic county of Shropshire (Modern Authority of Shropshire, 1974 county of Shropshire).

The earthwork remains of a medieval motte, located 75m north-west of Pool House. A natural mound standing about 7m high has been adapted to form the motte, which measures approximately 65m at its base and 35m across the top. Sherds of C13 pottery and part of the rim of a bronze cauldron have been found on the site. These artefacts were apparently associated with a charcoal-rich deposit and burnt soil, suggesting that the structures on top of the motte burnt down at some point during C13. The top of the motte was subsequently used as a dog cemetery, with 3 in situ graves dating to around 1930. An C18 icehouse is inserted into the south eastern side of the motte.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SJ66374040

Air Photo from Air Photo and general mapping	1st edition OS Map from Mid to late 19th century maps
Modern Map from Landscape form and features	Modern Map from General location and route planning
Geograph British Isles occasionally has photos of the site and will usually give an idea of the surrounding landscape.

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's English Heritage (PastScape) Defra or Monument number is 72624
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 01042 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website.

• Books
  • Duckers, Peter and Anne, 2006, Castles of Shropshire (Stroud: Tempus) p17-18
    Salter, Mike, 2001 (2edn), The Castles and Moated Mansions of Shropshire (Malvern) p20
    Jackson, M.J.,1988, Castles of Shropshire (Shrewsbury: Shropshire Libraries) p1
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol2 p420
• Journal Articles
  • Barker, P.A., 1957-60, Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological and Historical Society Vol56 p258-62
    Chitty, Lily, 1949, 'Subsidiary Castle Sites West of Shrewsbury' Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological Society Vol53 p83-90
• Other sources, 'grey' literature, unpublished works, etc. (Theses, in-house reports and other such)
  • English Heritage, 2001, Scheduling Papers [Affirmation, 09/02/2001]
    Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission, 1987, Scheduled Monument Report on SAM 33019 (10/08/1987)