Ham Castle
| Ham (or Homme) Castle | |
|---|---|
| Clifton-upon-Teme, Worcestershire | |
Homme Castle mound, 2005
|
|
 Ham (or Homme) Castle
|
|
| Coordinates | 52°15′19″N 2°23′24″W / 52.25526°N 2.39001°WCoordinates: 52°15′19″N 2°23′24″W / 52.25526°N 2.39001°W |
| Type | Motte and bailey |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | Earthworks only survive |
Ham Castle (also known as Home or Homme Castle) is located in Worcestershire at the bottom of a wooded escarpment (and close to the River Teme), within the parish of Clifton-upon-Teme, about 1 mile (1.6 km) east of the village of Clifton-upon-Teme and 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Great Witley.
It was a medieval motte and bailey castle. A hoard of medieval gold and silver was found on the site in the 17th century. Only a mound now remains.
The field in which the earthworks covering the remains of the medieval castle are located slopes from north to south. The motte (mound) is oval with a north-west/south-east orientation. It is about 56 metres (61 yd) long and about 40 metres (44 yd) wide at its widest point and it may have a rock outcrop in its core. It is surrounded by a 1 metre (3.3 ft) high platform. Because of the considerable slope in the field the height of the motte compared to its immediate surrounds varies depending on which sided is used for comparison. On the north side the motte is about 2 metres (6.6 ft) above the surrounding bailey while on the south side it is between 4.2 metres (14 ft)} and 5.2 metres (17 ft) high. The summit of the motte is flat, covered with grass and weeds with no visible footings. At the time of one survey (in 1974 or 1986) there had been a fire on the north and south-west of the summit of the motte and stones visible in this area.
The bailey on the south-west side is on a steep embankment (and so is probably not very extensive). The bailey on the north to the east sides rises steeply, while that on the north to west sides is flatter, but ploughing has over the years destroyed visible traces of the outer curtain wall and any internal structures. The traces of a double moat, fed from a spring and the Teme is visible and may have extended around the castle.
Ham Castle Farm, in the north-east of the parish, near the Teme, is on the site of the ancient Ham Castle, which, from its commanding position, must at one time have been a stronghold of importance.
Historically, little is known of this castle, which is mentioned for the first time in 1207. It evidently belonged to the owners of the manor of Ham, but seems to have been forfeited for some reason by one of them and given with many of their other estates by King John to Thomas de Galweya. Thomas was ordered in 1207 to deliver the castle (castellum) to William de Cauntelow to keep during the King's pleasure.
...
Wikipedia