Bincknoll Castle
Encyclopedia
Bincknol Castle' or Bincknoll Camp, is the site of an Iron Age
univallate hillfort located in Wiltshire
.
The site lies on the end of a triangular promentary on the escarpment beneath the Ridgeway
to the South. The steeply contoured sides offer excellent natural defences with only the level lands to the south offering easy access. Pronounced ‘Bynol’ Castle, the ironage earthworks were reinforced by a later Norman
motte and bailey castle of considerable natural strength. It is likely that Gilbert of Breteuil, who after the Norman conquest acquired a block of manors centred on Broad Hinton
, built the castle to oversee them. The 'motte', now severely mutilated by later quarrying, measures approximately 52 metres in diameter by 3 metres high, and its ditch is 2.3 metres deep. The inner enclosure has a bank and ditch 3.4 metres high dividing it from the outer enclosure, with a causeway entrance. The earthworks of the now deserted hamlet of Bincknoll, which grew up outside the castle, may be discerned in Bincknoll Dip, sloping away to the north.
, and to the north of the village of Broad Hinton
, in the county of Wiltshire
. Barbury Castle
hill fort is about 3.5 miles away to the South-East. The site has a summit of 195m AOD, and is easily accessible from the White Horse trail, and other public footpaths.
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
univallate hillfort located in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
.
The site lies on the end of a triangular promentary on the escarpment beneath the Ridgeway
The Ridgeway
thumb|right|thumb|The ancient tree-lined path winds over the downs countrysideThe Ridgeway is a ridgeway or ancient trackway described as Britain's oldest road...
to the South. The steeply contoured sides offer excellent natural defences with only the level lands to the south offering easy access. Pronounced ‘Bynol’ Castle, the ironage earthworks were reinforced by a later Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
motte and bailey castle of considerable natural strength. It is likely that Gilbert of Breteuil, who after the Norman conquest acquired a block of manors centred on Broad Hinton
Broad Hinton
Broad Hinton is a village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. The parish includes the hamlet of The Weir. The village is about southwest of Swindon....
, built the castle to oversee them. The 'motte', now severely mutilated by later quarrying, measures approximately 52 metres in diameter by 3 metres high, and its ditch is 2.3 metres deep. The inner enclosure has a bank and ditch 3.4 metres high dividing it from the outer enclosure, with a causeway entrance. The earthworks of the now deserted hamlet of Bincknoll, which grew up outside the castle, may be discerned in Bincknoll Dip, sloping away to the north.
Location
The site is located at , to the west of the village of WroughtonWroughton
Wroughton is a large village in Wiltshire, England. It is part of the Borough of Swindon and is south of Swindon.-History:The earliest evidence of human presence in the area is from the Mesolithic period, although this is fairly limited...
, and to the north of the village of Broad Hinton
Broad Hinton
Broad Hinton is a village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. The parish includes the hamlet of The Weir. The village is about southwest of Swindon....
, in the county of Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
. Barbury Castle
Barbury Castle
Barbury Castle is an Iron Age hill fort situated in Wiltshire, England. It is one of several such forts found along the ancient Ridgeway route. The site, which lies within the Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has been managed as a country park by Swindon Borough Council since 1971...
hill fort is about 3.5 miles away to the South-East. The site has a summit of 195m AOD, and is easily accessible from the White Horse trail, and other public footpaths.