Leafield Castle
| Leafield Castle | |
|---|---|
| Leafield, Oxfordshire, England | |
Earthworks of the castle | |
  Leafield Castle | |
| Coordinates | 51°50′11″N 1°32′33″W / 51.83641°N 1.54262°W |
| Grid reference | grid reference SP31611541 |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Earthworks only |
Leafield Castle is south of the village of Leafield in the north west region of Oxfordshire. All that is left of the castle are the earthworks and the earth mound which formed the centre of the castle. It has a commanding view and is 220 metres (720 ft) north west of the Church of St Michael and All Angels.[1] The castle is similar in size and shape to the nearby Ascot d'Oilly Castle.
The motte measures 38m across and stands up to 4m high. It has a flat, oval summit which measures 19.9m from north west to south east and 12m from south west to north east. A square feature measuring 10.9m across with an internal depression 7.5m square and 0.3m deep.[2] On the opening of a barrow in 1828, some ancient coins were dug up.[3]
The village of Leafield itself is very old and was established by at least the 11th century, but there are few medieval remains and these are limited to features in houses that were later extensively rebuilt.[4] This would mean that there could have been a castle guarding over the village from the 11th century onwards. This castle would have influence over the royal forest of Wychwood, a key centre for hunting as well as royal visits.[5]
See also
References
- ^ https://ancientmonuments.uk/106620-leafield-barrow-a-motte-castle-220m-north-west-of-st-michael-and-all-angels-church-leafield#.XpXMjEBFzIU |accessdate=14 April 2020
- ^ https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1008405%7C Title= site name: Leafield | work= Historic England Listings |publisher= Historic England |accessdate=14 April 2020
- ^ The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003 | https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/OXF/leafield%7Caccessdate=14 April 2020
- ^ "History – Leafield Village – The community hub for Leafield". Retrieved 14 April 2020.
- ^ https://wychwoodshistory.uk/whistory/ |acessdate=15 April 2020