Cusop History Group
Cusop Castles (map)
A Castle Research group is currently carrying out more detailed research into this topic. (See Castle page for updates)
Held at:Hereford Public Library
Reference:Royal Commission on Historical Monuments: Herefordshire, Volume 1: H 936.244
Source:Transcript of Original Publication
Title:Mouse Castle: architecture, construction and history
Place name:Cusop
Date:Up to 1700
Description: MOUSE CASTLE, Cusop. motte and bailey, on the top of a hill, ¾ m. N.E. of the church. The motte was no doubt originally circular, and about 43 yards in diameter, but the earth has been excavated from its sides, which for 7 ft. of their height are now precipitous. Surrounding the motte is a broad ditch which may have served as a small bailey, and surrounding it is a fragmentary rampart; there is a further outer rampart on the N.E. and E. The surrounding ground slopes downward rapidly in all directions except to the N.E., where for a short distance the slope is more gentle. Condition—Bad.
Held at:Hereford Public Library
Reference:Royal Commission on Historical Monuments: Herefordshire, Volume 1: H 936.244
Source:Transcript of Original Publication
Title:Cusop Castle: architecture, construction and history
Place name: Cusop
Date: Up to 1700
Description: (2) CUSOP CASTLE (Plan), earthwork, 140 yards S.W. of the church, consists of an irregular oval-shaped court with remains of a ditch on the N.E., the counter-scarp of which has been largely destroyed by a modern road. The ditch on the N. and N.W. has been entirely destroyed by the road, leaving only part of the scarp to the court. On the remaining sides is a scarp with a berm, below which is a steep natural fall of the ground. Traces of what would appear to have been the entrance to the courtyard appear near the middle of the N.E. side.
Condition—Bad.
Earthwork and buried remains of Cusop Castle, a ringwork located on a natural promontory above a stream with steeply sloping sides in all directions except to the north east. The natural topography suggests that the ringwork is formed from a natural out crop enhanced by quarrying and the construction of the earthen ramparts. The castle includes a raised irregular oval earthwork enclosure orientated east to west forming a platform 2m-3m high and measuring 60m to 80m in diameter around its summit. There are the remains of a ditch measuring 3m to 5m wide and up to 2.5m deep on the north eastern and eastern sides which are less steeply defended. The course of the ditch has been partially obscured by the modern lane in the north western quadrant. A berm constructed on the southern and south western sides enhance the natural slope of the ravine. The construction of Castle House has removed the westernmost defences of the monument. The interior of the enclosure is divided into two levels by an irregular low bank and slope aligned east to west. Traces of an entrance causeway survive to the east of the subdivision. Although no longer visible above ground, 19th century records of standing fabric including a gateway, and later references to masonry foundations, suggest that Cusop Castle included buildings constructed from stone, the buried remains of which will survive. The ringwork could be one of a number of medieval defensive sites located in strategic positions above the Wye Valley, the land belonging to the King at the time of Domesday survey. The castle is believed to have been constructed by the Cianowes or Clarowes family who were prominent in the county during the 12th to 14th centuries. (Scheduling Report)
'The present earthwork itself is of a design more suited to that of a fortified-site than a castle. This view is strengthened by the angular form of the mound and lack of any separation ditch between the mound and the bailey, although, the possibility that a motte may have been removed from the site, thereby covering the ditch during levelling operations should be considered. The matter might be resolved by geophysical survey or excavation. The interpretation of the site, based on actual remains, topographical survey and location suggests that this site is a late construction with a function as a fortified-site probably associated with land tenure and agricultural holdings.' (Phillips)
** FOR LATEST RESEARCH FROM CUSOP CASTLE PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS SEE Castle Page
Held at: Digital Images Collection: Published Materials
Reference:RSSource:Original publication
Title:Digital Images Collection: Robinson – The Castles of Herefordshire and their Lords [Photographs]Place name:Cusop, Ewyas Harold, Longtown, UrishayDate:1872
Description:Photographs of extracts of the book ‘The Castles of Herefordshire and their Lords’ by Rev. CJ Robinson [Vicar of Norton Canon], published in 1872; including illustrations.
More information can be found on the Gatekeepers Gazeteer
Motte & bailey, behind Nant y Glasdwr Farm, Cusop
SMR Number
: 1234
Grid Reference
: SO 236 426
Parish
: CUSOP, HEREFORDSHIRE
In Norman times a small fortification, probably nothing more than watchtower, stood in what is now orchard behind farm. (1)
Nothing visible on RAF 1946 APs. No visible trace of earthwork in orchard, though extensive linear quarrying may have destroyed any remains. (2)
Site visit, documentary research, description and interpretation as part of PhD research by Neil Phillips. No visible earthworks found at given coordinates. (3)
Monument Type(s)
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MOTTE? (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
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CASTLE? (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
Associated Files
Sources and Further Reading
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<2> SHE11678 - Bibliographic reference: RHK. 1973. SO24SW12. Ordnance Survey.
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Associated Historic Landscape Character Records HHE666 - Small Compass Enclosure of the Landscape - Small Enclosures and Modified Grid System