Rochdale Castle
Medieval castle site in Greater Manchester, England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rochdale Castle was a motte-and-bailey castle in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England.[1] Historically a part of Lancashire, it was built in the period shortly after the Norman Conquest of England.[2]
| Rochdale Castle | |
|---|---|
| Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Motte-and-bailey castle |
| Condition | Destroyed; site built over |
| Location | |
  Rochdale Castle Location in Greater Manchester | |
| Coordinates | 53.611987°N 2.164396°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | Early post Norman Conquest |
In the 12th century, many charters refer to "the vill of the castle of Rachedal". A charter dated c. 1238 describes the castle as standing on rising ground commanding the valley of the Roche a location still known as Castle Hill.[3] The castle was abandoned in the early 13th century.[1] It was documented again in 1322.[4]
In 1626 a Gabriel Tayor had a house on the site, known as Castle Hill, described as being on the "reputed site of a castle standing there, but now clean defaced".[3] Buildings were later erected over the castle bailey and in the 19th century a house was built on the motte.[5]
The motte is 100 feet (30 m) at the base; the bailey is rectangular, lies to the south, and measures 120 feet (37 m) by 100 feet (30 m). The defences consisted of an earth rampart and ditch.[1]