Rochdale Castle was a motte-and-bailey castle in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England (grid reference SD89121286).[1] It was built in the period shortly after the Norman conquest of England.[2]

Rochdale Castle is located in Greater Manchester
Rochdale Castle
Map showing the location of Rochdale Castle within Greater Manchester.

In the 12th century many charters refer to 'the vill of the castle of Rachedal'. A charter dated c.1238 gave details of the castle standing on rising ground commanding the valley of the Roche and still known as Castle Hill.[3] The castle was abandoned in the early 13th century.[1] It was documented in 1322.[4]

In 1626 a Gabriel Tayor had a house, known as Castle Hill, on the site, described as being on the 'reputed site of a castle standing there, but now clean defaced'.[3] Buildings have been 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 and 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]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Rochdale Castle". Pastscape.org.uk. Retrieved 10 January 2008.
  2. ^ "Rochdale Castle". The Gatehouse - the comprehensive gazetteer of the medieval fortifications and castles of England and Wales. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  3. ^ a b Fishwick, Lieut-Colonel; Ditchfield, Rev PH (1909). Memorials of Old Lancashire, Vol 2. London: Bemrose and Sons. pp. 1–2.
  4. ^ Cathcart King (1983), p. 247.
  5. ^ Newman (2006), p. 140.
Bibliography
  • Cathcart King, David J. (1983). "Catellarium Anglicanum: An Index and Bibliography of the Castles in England, Wales and the Islands. Volume I: Anglesey–Montgomery" (Document). Kraus International Publications.
  • Newman, Caron (2006). "Medieval Period Resource Assessment". Archaeology North West. 8: 115–144. ISSN 0962-4201.

53°36′43″N 2°09′52″W / 53.611987°N 2.164396°W / 53.611987; -2.164396