Winter Solstice 2017
Ventured on another solstice journey after dropping Raye at Holbrook Hall to see Celia, so only had an hour or so. Had checked a place I had never been yet it was close by. It is Hortston or Horsley Castle which was a Norman motte and bailey castle as explained below.
Wikipedia states:-
"Horston Castle (sometimes spelt Horeston and also known as Horsley Castle) is about 1 mile to the south of the village Horsley, some 5 miles north of the English city of Derby (grid reference SK375432). The ruinous site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument but, as at 2008, is a Building at Risk.
It was a Norman motte and bailey castle which was founded by Ralph de Buron. In the 13th century King John built a stone castle, adding a keep, a chapel, a gatehouse and a barbican. In 1514 it was granted by Henry VIII to the Duke of Norfolk as a reward for services against the Scots. Later it came into the possession of the Stanhope family.
The castle is ruined today, damaged by extensive quarrying. There are visible remains of the keep although this is now largely overgrown."
The area around was completely waterlogged and very muddy! The dowsing rods crossed all over and I wasn;y sure weather they were just picking up the water all around or that there was lot of other forces all about. So unusually unable to find a leyline. The hill is almost hidden amongst private land and premises but from the field below it is easy to imagine how it would have been many years ago. In a way it reminded me of Morley Moated Mound not too far away. This was much larger though. Really interesting site that ideally should have been preserved better and not allowed to be almost hidden from view.
Image from Wiki 
Wikipedia states:-
"Horston Castle (sometimes spelt Horeston and also known as Horsley Castle) is about 1 mile to the south of the village Horsley, some 5 miles north of the English city of Derby (grid reference SK375432). The ruinous site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument but, as at 2008, is a Building at Risk.
It was a Norman motte and bailey castle which was founded by Ralph de Buron. In the 13th century King John built a stone castle, adding a keep, a chapel, a gatehouse and a barbican. In 1514 it was granted by Henry VIII to the Duke of Norfolk as a reward for services against the Scots. Later it came into the possession of the Stanhope family.
The castle is ruined today, damaged by extensive quarrying. There are visible remains of the keep although this is now largely overgrown."
The area around was completely waterlogged and very muddy! The dowsing rods crossed all over and I wasn;y sure weather they were just picking up the water all around or that there was lot of other forces all about. So unusually unable to find a leyline. The hill is almost hidden amongst private land and premises but from the field below it is easy to imagine how it would have been many years ago. In a way it reminded me of Morley Moated Mound not too far away. This was much larger though. Really interesting site that ideally should have been preserved better and not allowed to be almost hidden from view.
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