Oxfordshire's Historic Archives

Historic Oxfordshire

Preserving and Enhancing Access to Historic Oxfordshire
Records of Archaeological Work held by the Ashmolean Museum

Site Name: Swerford

Site Location: North Oxfordshire
Related Achive: Manning and Jope


E.M. Jope excavated Swerford Castle during the 1950s. The motte and bailey of the castle at Swerford stands on a hill above the River Swere and next to the parish Church. A deep ditch separates the church from the castle.

The remains consist of a circular court, 150 feet in diameter, surrounded by a ditch of 6 feet. On the north side is another mound, diameter 50 feet, and to the east are two detached raised platforms beyond which the ground falls away rapidly towards the road (the road is to the south).

In the 1970s the churchyard was extended to the north, into the castle grounds, and a few medieval pottery sherds were found. Swerford Park is to the west of the castle site.

The only reference to Swerford in Manning archive is Plot's record of Roman coins found in the Park.


References:

W. Page (1907) Victoria History of Oxfordshire, Vol II, p 326

R. Plot (1705) Natural History of Oxfordshire, p341

L. F. Salzman (1939) Victoria History of Oxfordshire, Vol I, p 343

Site Photographs

Click on picture to see a larger image
Swerford Castle looking south-west
Swerford Castle looking towards the south-west (January 2006)
Swerford Castle Motte
Swerford Castle motte and bailey looking towards the north (March 2006)
See a closer view
Swerford Castle Ditch
Swerford Castle inner ditch looking towards the west (March 2006)
Swerford Castle beside Church
Swerford Castle and Church looking towards the south (March 2006)
View the church
© Copyright University of Oxford, Ashmolean Museum, 2006. Last updated: June-2006
Ashmolean Museum icon: Go to Museum's Home Page
 
HLF icon: Go to HLF Home Page
 
OCC icon: Go to OCC Home Page