Portbury Mound

In the civil parish of Portbury. In the historic county of Somerset (Modern Authority of North Somerset, 1974 county of Avon).

Prior writes "Between 1134 and 1154, Fitzharding erected a motte at Portbury in order to exploit the possibility of trade with Bristol, its port, and the River Avon." he gives the above map reference which is a hill top on the edge of the parish. Prior gives no other citation. No motte is recorded in PastScape. A small univallate hillfort, Conygar Hill (at ST49897509 - NMRN 195214), is by the village and contains a pillow mound and a WWII gun emplacement and would seem to be the likely position for a castle if one existed at Portbury (which is the centre of the local hundred). PastScape also records a windmill mound and linear earthwork at Windmill Hill (ST505741 - NMRN 198628). A prominent natural hill called 'The Mount' lies just south of the parish church at ST502750.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is ST50947467

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

Further information may be available from the holder of the county Historic Environment Record. In particular '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, or elsewhere.

• Books
  • Prior, Stuart, 2006, A Few Well-Positioned Castles: The Norman Art of War (Tempus) p68-109