HER 873 - "Thunderfield Castle" medieval ring and bailey castle

Scheduled Monument
Thunderfield Castle, a Ring and Bailey castle generally well preserved, though the entire site is lower grown with trees and undergrowth. Thunderfield Castle is thought to be an early 12th century foundation and was of timber construction there being no traces of masonry. It was a ring type castle abandoned early probably due to flooding of the ditches by the River Mole. The barbican, of later date than the castle, is of a higher level and can be mistaken for a motte. The ditches were originally dry, an outer ditch, dug early in the 13th century formed a small outer bailey beyond the barbican. Excavations in the centre area by Hart and Winbolt in 1936, uncovered the hearth of a bloomery, and 13th, 14th and 15th century pottery was found nearby. No trace of buildings was found. The castle may have been erected by Gilbert de Clare (died 1132).

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Related Records

• SHHER_16546

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