Dunham Castle
| Dunham Castle | |
|---|---|
The remaining mound at Dunham Massey Hall | |
Location within Greater Manchester | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Motte-and-bailey castle (probable) |
| Location | Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester, England |
| Coordinates | 53°22′58″N 2°23′58″W / 53.38274°N 2.399571°W |
| Completed | c. 1173 |
| Demolished | Between 1323 and 1362 (probable) |
| Client | Hamo de Masci |
Dunham Castle is an early medieval castle in Dunham Massey, a civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford, Greater Manchester, England (grid reference SJ73428742).
History
The castle is first referred to in 1173, in a document stating Hamo de Masci held the castles of Dunham and Ullerwood. Documentary evidence suggests that the castle at Dunham was still standing in 1323. It fell into disuse between 1323 and 1362. It probably stood on a mound, or motte, near the site of Dunham Massey Hall today. The motte is 24 metres (79 ft) in diameter and survives to a height of 2 metres (6.6 ft).[1] The site was surrounded by a moat, which was later turned into an ornamental lake.[1] Dunham Castle has been confused with Watch Hill Castle in nearby Bowdon, but the two were separate sites, though both were probably owned by the de Masci family.[2] Dunham Castle was once a scheduled monument, but was delisted as it may be a "natural hummock of glacial sand".[3]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Dunham Massey". The Gatehouse - the comprehensive gazetteer of the medieval fortifications and castles of England and Wales. Retrieved 18 March 2008.
- ^ Mike Nevell (1997). The Archaeology of Trafford. Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council with the University of Manchester Archaeological Unit. p. 33. ISBN 1-870695-25-9.
- ^ "Dunham Castle". Pastscape.org.uk. Retrieved 26 February 2008.