Castle Roborough, Loxhore

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Loxore

In the civil parish of Loxhore. In the historic county of Devon (Modern Authority of Devon, 1974 county of Devon).

A simple mound about 120ft in diameter at the base 15ft high. In its summit is a basin-shaped hollow over 7ft in depth. (PastScape–ref. VCH)
Situated in a ploughed field on a slight ridge with the land falling away gently to the E & W, is a large, near-circular mound, maximum height 4.0m, with a great central depression. A few stones are exposed in the turf and fern covering. There is no visible trace of an encircling ditch or outlying earthwork or bailey. The central depression which is fairly regular seems to be part of the original plan of the mound as no dispersal of the spoil maybe seen either on the mound or in its surrounds. The mound is rather large for a barrow or beacon and is possibly a Norman motte. A sunken lane passes the mound to the immediate south. There were no surface finds. (PastScape–Field Investigators Comments-F1 GCS 30-NOV-53)
Despite the comments of the field investigator the central depression in the motte may represent the robbing out of stone tower and this may have been a tower with motte raised around it (as at Lydford) rather than a ringwork. Not an obvious manorial centre, but an area of dispersed settlement. Currently (2009) on the Heritage at Risk Register.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SS62033772

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 34551
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
  • Higham, Robert A., 1999, 'Castles, Fortified Houses and Fortified Towns in the Middle Ages' in Kain, R. and Ravenhill, W., Historical Atlas of South-West England (University of Exeter Press) p136-43
    Salter, Mike, 1999, The Castles of Devon and Cornwall (Malvern) p87 [slight]
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p117
    Allcroft, A. Hadrian, 1908, Earthwork of England (London) p404 http://www.archive.org/details/earthworkofengla00allc
    Wall, C., 1906, in Page, Wm (ed), 'Ancient Earthworks' VCH Devon Vol1 p614
• Journal Articles
  • Higham, R.A., 1988, 'Devon Castles: an annotated list' Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society Vol46 p142-9
    Higham, R.A., 1982, 'Early Castles in Devon' Château Gaillard Vol9-10 p101-116
    King, D.J.C. and Alcock, L., 1969, 'Ringworks in England and Wales' Château Gaillard Vol3 p90-127