Bury Mount 1.33

Bury Mount Motte is the remains of an earthwork motte and bailey fortification or ancient castle, and has been designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The Motte probably dates back to the 11th Century when it was a Norman fortification but over time was subject to neglect. .LocationThe Motte is in Moat Lane in the Roman town of Towcester, England, located on the Roman Road of Watling Street now the A5 trunk road which runs from Dover to Wroxeter via London. It is similar to other local Mottes located at Northampton, Buckingham, Little Houghton and Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. It would have been strategically placed to control primary transport routes and river crossings. The Towcester Motte controlled the junction of Watling Street and long distance route from Southampton to Stamford which went through Winchester, Oxford, Brackley and Northampton, now the A34 and A43 trunk roads. The Motte is located in Towcester on the north-east side of the A5 in Moat Lane, at the side of Towcester Town Hall next to St Leonard's Church and near the Forum Building which is the Home of South Northamptonshire Council; the mount also lays east of the market square. Bury Mount can also be reached by walking down Castle Lane which is off of Watling Street.