Hobs Moat is a ruined 12th-century castle located to the west of Hobs Moat Road and north of Castle Lane in Olton in Solihull, England. The site is designated a scheduled ancient monument, however, only the earthworks remain above the ground level. [1] [2]
The prevailing theory is that the name 'Hobs Moat' is a corruption of 'Odingsells' Moat', so called because the founders of the castle were the de Odingsells, anciently written as 'Hoginsells', family. [1] [3]
Other suggestions have been put forward, such as that after the ruin of the castle, the site was a location for the practice of pannage – where pigs ('hogs' corrupted to 'hobs') could be sent to eat acorns. Another, more fanciful theory, suggests that prior to the construction of the castle, the site was locally believed to be home to Hob's – creatures of English folklore derived from the Cofgodas or "cove-gods" of Anglo-Saxon paganism. [4]
The castle is believed to have been constructed as the fortified manor house of Ulverli (today in Solihull) by the de Ogdinsells family. The family were believed to be of Flemish origin, with their heir marrying the grand daughter and heir of Ralph de Limesy, thereby inheriting the Lordship of the Manor of Ulverli. [5]
It is not exactly clear when the castle fell into ruin, but it is believed to have happened in the 14th century. Antiquary Sir William Dugdale would visit the site in 1656, finding only "a large Moat" and was informed by the locals that the castle there had long since been removed. Following the subinfeudation of the manor of Ulverli into the manor of Solihull, the Odingsells had built a new purpose built manor house closer to the new Solihull town centre, called Silhill Hall, at some point in the 13th century. [6] [7]
The site has been subject to numerous archaeological inspections, which have uncovered evidence for a collapsed sandstone wall, and suggested a late-13th-century date for its construction – pottery has been found at the site further affirming this date. The remains of the wall had been overlain by the base of a later structure.
Excavation, geophysical and field survey were carried out at Hob's moat between 1985 and 1986 and found a number of medieval buildings. In addition a late medieval/early post medieval shed-like structure was found indicative that the site had at one time been used for agriculture after the castle was ruined, however a later survey carried out in October 1997 by RCHME concluded that it was probably a hunting lodge. [3]
The castle would have stood on the remaining large rectangular earthwork platform, which is encased by a rampart, a wide ditch and a counterscarp bank. [8] The moat was spring-fed, with the northern boundary of the moat on a spring line. [3]
Immediately alongside the north side of Hob's Moat are the earthwork remains of a hollow way which is medieval in origin and is thought to have run westwards to connect Hob's Moat with Castle Lane. [9]
Bodiam Castle is a 14th-century moated castle near Robertsbridge in East Sussex, England. It was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III, with the permission of Richard II, ostensibly to defend the area against French invasion during the Hundred Years' War. Of quadrangular plan, Bodiam Castle has no keep, having its various chambers built around the outer defensive walls and inner courts. Its corners and entrance are marked by towers, and topped by crenellations. Its structure, details and situation in an artificial watery landscape indicate that display was an important aspect of the castle's design as well as defence. It was the home of the Dalyngrigge family and the centre of the manor of Bodiam.
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Lyndon is a district within the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull in the English county of the West Midlands. The population of the Lyndon Ward at the 2011 census was 13,574. It was the home of the Lyndon family. The home is long gone but became Olton Jubilee Park on Lyndon Rd. It was born in Acocks Green and named after the family home and the park. There is a local historical society with some knowledge of the family before they built the Manor. The ancient monument of Hob's Moat is nearby, as is Hatchford Brook.
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Woodwalton Castle was a small motte and bailey castle at Church End, the northern end of the parish of Woodwalton, Huntingdonshire. Located on a natural hillock, the earthworks of the castle still remain, with an outer moat enclosing a circular bailey with a central motte. A large dyke, apparently ancient, runs from the outer moat in a north-easterly direction. The site is a scheduled monument.
Manor Farm is a 22-acre (8.9 ha) historic site in Ruislip, Greater London. It incorporates a medieval farm complex, with a main old barn dating from the 13th century and a farm house from the 16th. Nearby are the remains of a motte-and-bailey castle believed to date from shortly after the Norman conquest of England. Original groundwork on the site has been dated to the 9th century.
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