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 ANCIENT EARTHWORKS €Sr Leland wrote there was ' goodly castle, but somewhat in decay,' and enough remained in 1655 to enable Silas Taylor to obtain a plan. The earthworks suggest an origin of later than Conquestial date, but as the position com- manded an important road from Leominster to the Welsh country, it is likely that some sort of fortress existed and may have been modified in the 12th century, when the castle figured in the wars between Stephen and Matilda. No true mount of early type now exists, but enough remains to suggest its former presence at the south of the bailey, or court, the point needing the strongest defence owing to its proximity to higher ground without. An outer ram- part and water-filled moat also protected this side. The rampart of the bailey remains, except on the west, where it has been destroyed, and there are indications that a fosse, or moat, once surrounded the whole. A plan and description of Weobley Castle appeared in the Woolhope Field Club 'Transactions.'^^ WiGMORE Castle. — The village of Wigmore, about 7 miles from Ludlow in a south-westerly direction, is often the bourne of pilgrims bent on viewing the remains of its castle, a structure figuring largely in the story of the troublous ' marcher ' times, and well worthy of examination. The •//,i>' Weobley Castle Mr SaM * ^^^Ll %^%5j™7?;l»-*nj. CO _ .■5# &CAL.t; or FtcT 100 200 30O C/iureh -f> Wigmore Castle (1886-9.) Plan, 228. Description, 252. 2 + 7