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EXCITING find: Dr Mike Nevell from Manchester University at the site
EXCITING find: Dr Mike Nevell from Manchester University at the site
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Borough is king of its own lost castle


23/ 7/2008

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered the secret of a mysterious earth monument which has puzzled people for centuries.

The barely-visible bump on a hill near Stalybridge is the site of a lost castle.

The discovery has been hailed as one of the most important architectural finds in England for years.

Experts at Manchester University were stunned to discover the remains of a large 900-year-old castle on Buckton Moor.

The team had been commissioned to survey Tameside for historical artefacts. Although several ancient documents refer to a ‘castle’ on the moor few believed such a structure existed.

Archaeologists had visited the moor on three previous times without success. Although some raised earth mounds were visible, historians guessed they were the remains of a lowly earthwork fort, made by digging a ditch and building a simple wooden tower. It was not until earlier this year that they found the foundations of a 9ft deep wall and a huge gate tower, revealing that a football-pitched size castle capable of garrisoning up to 30 soldiers would have occupied the site.

Mike Nevell, director of the university’s field archaeology centre, said: "The discovery of a high ranking castle in England is a tremendously rare event — and was definitely not what we were expecting.

"It’s been an object of curiosity for a very long time, perhaps going all the way back to a reference in a 1359 survey carried out by Edward, the Black Prince, who had just acquired the lands. Then it was described as a ruined castle. Much of the stonework has been stolen and its walls are overgrown with heather and peat, which explains why it has been mistaken for an earthwork all this time."

It is thought it was built by Earl of Chester, Ranulf the Second, one of the country’s most powerful landlords.

Although he helped King Stephen conquer the warring Scots, the earl lived in a state of near-constant conflict with the king and rival aristocrats, during a turbulent civil war.

The university team, made up of professional archaeologists and local volunteers, will return for further excavations next year in an attempt to discover more about the castle. In particular, they want to find out why it faced north rather than south where Chester’s sworn enemy Peveril lived.


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Most recent 2 of 2 user comments

   There is a tradition that a great treasure of gold lies hidden beneath the Bucton castle mound. One instance of a find was described by the Mottram schoolmaster, R.Wardeworth, writing in 1767 to his friend, John Collier, of Milnrow, . The account is taken from EARWAKER,S "East Cheshire".The find was made by a John Hayward, and Wardleworth, who was present, describes it thus: "In cutting up about a shovel,s graft from the surface, the golden neclace came up, bright and fresh as though from the hands of the maker; 18 large beads asd large as bullocs (bullets) upon a loquet (locket) about the compass of a moidore." Not far away another man found a silver cup. These treasures were claimed by Lord Dysart, then the Lord of the Manor.
FRANK LINNEY
18/08/2008 at 16:52
   I thought archaeologists were already aware there was a castle on this site? Locals have known for years, thats why its known as Buckton Castle and not `Buckton stockade`, Also at the bottom of the hill the legend is that the `road/track` there, is of Roman origin, indeed parts of Roman armour was found in the area of the existing farm there, which is about 15-20yards from the `road` Although there is no evidence of Roman occupation on the site of the castle, it is possible the top of the hill was used in Roman times. Coming from a commonsense point of view its a strategic site, commanding views for miles over the surrounding area, and its possible that Melandra castle in gamesly/glossop was within sight and therefore contactable. Also if you walk along the `Roman` road, heading away from the farm,as you walk round the base of the hill, on the right, partly buried under vegitation is what looks like a road/track that is winding up the hill, could this be the original track up? because other than this i couldnt find a proper route up to the castle, maybe this warrents some investigation?
kontraband, Tameside
12/08/2008 at 21:46
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