Hobs Moat
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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 Hobs – creatures of English folklore derived from the Cofgodas or "cove-gods" of Anglo-Saxon paganism.[4]
History
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 constructed a new purpose-built manor house closer to the new Solihull town centre, called Silhill Hall, at some point in the 13th century.[2][6]