Monument details

Summary

Mote Hill was a Motte and Bailey castle built after the Norman Conquest, probably on the site of an earlier residence. It was the manorial residence of the Boteler family, lords of Warrington, until it was destroyed by fire in around 1260. A motte is a type of fortified Castle, introduced into Britain by the Normans. It is one of several castles in Cheshire that were constructed in the medieval period to defend the rich agricultural resources of Cheshire from raids. In the 19th century a number of excavations were carried out in which portions of the mound were removed. A wood-lined well was excavated. Artefacts recovered include early medieval pottery sherds, a possible Saxon bronze fibula and two jet chess pieces. The chess pieces were used in the Scandinavian game of 'hnefatafl' which was also played during the early Norman period. Romano British pottery was also found as was the handle of Roman patera (a bronze saucepan).

17th century material recovered form this site suggests that this site may later have been used during the Civil War. The mound and ramparts of the site were flattened in 1841 and in the following year a school was erected on the site.

Monument Types

• BAILEY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• CASTLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• DITCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• MANOR (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• MOTTE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• MOUND (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• TOWN (Borough Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

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