Monument record MHG11745 - Proncy Castle

NH79SE 3 7712 9258.
Proncy Castle (NR) (remains of) OS 6" map, (1960)

The remains of a small stone tower erected on a motte. The motte, scarped from a natural mound varies from 12-15' above ridge to south from which it has been isolated by a ditch of which distinct traces remain. The surface area of mound is c100' diameter. Round the edge remains of a stone wall crop out at intervals, with traces of buildings on its inner side, and within this is a raised area about 20' broad extending all round the enceinte with occasional traces of walling on inner side. The entrance to motte seems to be indicated by a gap about 18' wide in rampart of S side with a sunk path leading diagonally up the mound.
The foundations of tower, rectangular & shell-mortared lie in centre of motte and measure c20' NE-SW by 12', and possibly 5' thick.
Several detached portions of massive, grouted masonry lie to S of the tower. The foundations are now turf-covered.
Proncy Castle formed part of the lands granted by Hugo Freskyn to Gilbert de Moravia c 1211.
RCAHMS 1911, visited 1909; C D Bentinck 1926.

Proncy Castle, the turf-covered foundations of tower surmounting an earlier motte, as described by Simpson. The summit of motte is level and near circular measuring c34m in diameter.
The stone wall around it does not appear to conform to rim, but insufficient is visible to determine its plan. In SE sector at base of mound are traces of an angular corner, and there are indications that the wall continued W from it on a near straight alignment up the slope to join an exposed section c.5m long and c.0.4m high immediately to E of alleged entrance. This section is dry built of carefully laid small flat slabs, and may be part of a barmkin contemporary with the tower. Quarrying has destroyed any details of the entrance. It is uncertain what the raised area around the enceinte represents. It varies in width from about 5.0m to about 7.5m, and it is possible that it is merely a result of the quarrying which has mutilated area around tower. The walling noted by Simpson (Bentinck 1926) on its inner side and traces of buildings noted by RCAHMS are not now evident. The ditch on S is now scarcely visible and it cannot be ascertained if it ever surrounded the motte which is protected in the E and W by dry valleys. Resurved at 1/2500. Visited by OS (A A) 24 March 1971.