Downton Moot Close

Description

Powerful but very damaged earthwork castle. Ringwork with twin baileys possibly constructed by Henry de Blois, Bishop of Winchester, in 1138 and demolished in 1155. The earthwork has been incorporated into part of the garden of Moot House during the early C18. Possibly superseded by Old Court although Creighton writes this bishops palace may have been extant and the castle a temporary appendage, this 'raises the distinct possibility that the castle was conceived as an appendage to the palace and thus represented the temporary transfer of functions to a fortified nucleus as opposed to the creation of a new seat of lordship' (Creighton 2000).

A ringwork and bailey, later re-used as a formal garden with an earthwork theatre, and an area of Roman remains under and to the south of it. The ringwork and bailey survive as earthworks, although these were modified in the 18th century to establish a formal garden and associated earthwork theatre. The ringwork is at the centre of the monument and is defined by earthworks surviving to between 5m and 6m above the Medieval ground surface. Two entrances, to the north east and to the west, divide the earthworks into two separate sections. The interior area is 20m across. Beyond the ringwork, to the east and north, is the bailey, an enclosed area which contained associated ancillary building and settlement. The north side of the bailey has been partly levelled and built over although below ground level remains will survive. To the east and north east the bailey is visible as a level area c80m north to south by 40m east to west, defined by a bank and ditch. The bank has been altered, presumably at the time the garden was established but survives to 2m high. The accompanying ditch is c5.5m deep on the south east side. To the north-east the ditch has largely been infilled; a small sclae excavation in 1990 suggested that this occurred at the time of the 18th century remodelling. The defensive works still visible at The Moot were probably constructed by Henry de Blois, Bishop of Winchester, in 1138. It was put under seige during the civil wars of Stephen and Matilda, and was probabaly slighted in 1155. It was occupied throughout the Medieval period and had royal visits in 1317 and 1344. The last sizeable works were in 1466 and by 1647 the site was in disrepair. The 18th century remodelling of the earthworks has produced a fine example of formal gardens and a terraced earthwork theatre, landscaped as an amenity for Moot House which lies nearby. To the west of the theatre is a large fishpond which may have been constructed as a backdrop to the stage. Also, at the rear of the theatre and on the southern bank of the ringwork, are the foundations of a building, the Temple of Mercury. Geophysical surveyhas indicated that the area south of the ringwork's southern ditch was occupied by earlier buildings, one of which was cut by the construction of the ditch. Other features in this area include a further smaller, building as well as a track and associated ditches. Some of these align with sections excavated further to the south which were dated the to Roman period. (Wilts SMR)

The Earl of Salisbury captured the castle by stealth in 1147. He described it as being "most plentifully stocked with provisions and admirably equipped for defence". However, the Bishop laid siege to the castle and starved them out. Shortly after he died in 1154, the fortifications were destroyed. (Downton Moot website)