Summary
Barrow Mump survives as a good example of a natural hill utilised in various periods, including as a look-out point in Saxon times, as a Norman castle, and as the location for a later medieval chapel.
Identification Images (0)
Most Recent Monitoring
None Recorded
Monument Types
- CASTLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
Description
The 'motte' - like eminence, seemingly deliberately scarped might possibly have been associated with a Norman Castle. Physical evidence for a castle on the Mump is of a dubious nature. The excavations by H. St. George Gray ( 1941, p. 108-110) revealed a short length of walling on a different alignment to the ecclesiastical structures. This lay to the west of the present tower and was constructed of blue lias with very little mortar. Twelfth century pottery and roof tiles were also found. There was no archaeological association between the pottery and the wall, but the excvators considered the character of the wall to be Norman and presumed that it was the remains of a small Norman castle.
A second tentative piece of evidence relating to a castle is found in a document, the 'Nomina Villarum' of 1315-16 which records under the 'Hundred of Andredesffeld' a castle at a site which was possibly Burrow Mump.
The scarping of the hillside, whilst stabilising the slope, produced a small motte-like mound on the summit, which may have supported a small castle. However the attribution of this mound to a motte would provide a unique situation in Somerset, where no other mottes are known without baileys.
Rabbit burrowing, and severe cattle poaching are causing erosion on the slopes and summit of this earthwork.
References
- --- SZN1472 - Monograph: D W R Thackray. 1980. Burrow Mump, Somerset.
- --- SZN700 - Article in serial: H St G Gray. 1941. Excavation at Burrow Mump. 87.
Other Statuses and References
- National Monuments Record Reference: ST33SE10
Associated Events
None Recorded
Associated Finds
None Recorded