Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

• Type

  Legal Documents

  Title

  SM703_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600003587)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a motte likely to date from the late medieval period. It survives as a large, sub-circular mound within the garden of the former manse. The monument has been fashioned from the end of a low ridge rising above the floodplain on the E side of the River Annan, close to its confluence with the Nethercleuch Burn, at 50m above sea level. On the N side, it rises 1m above the rest of the garden. The monument was first scheduled in 1954, but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains; the present rescheduling rectifies this.

The central feature, the motte, is a conical earthen mound. It measures approximately 30m in diameter and, despite landscaping, is substantially intact. Originally its top would have been the platform upon which a timber castle was built. The motte would originally have been protected by a wooden palisade. No above-ground trace of a bailey survives, but there is likely to have been one in the area between the motte and Applegarthtown Church, which has medieval origins.

The area to be scheduled is irregular on plan, to include the remains described above and an area around within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. Specifically excluded from the scheduling are: the above-ground elements of the post-and-wire-fence around the base of the monument on the west and east; the post-and-wire enclosure and A-frame structure on the W side of the monument; the playhouse on the S side of the motte and the garden bench to the N of the mound.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

The monument's cultural significance can be expressed as follows:

Intrinsic characteristics

The motte is well preserved and retains a large proportion of its estimated original shape, extent and structure, despite the impacts of landscaping and other horticultural activities. The motte is substantially intact as an earthwork and is likely to contain deposits relating to the structure(s) and palisade which formerly stood on its top. It is likely that the timber castle served as an estate centre during the medieval period. It belonged to the Jardines, one of the principal followers of the Brus family. The surviving deposits around the motte have the potential to tell us about the buildings and defences that were erected here and the activities of those using them. More generally, the buried deposits (including paleoenvironmental remains) can help us understand the site's construction, use, abandonment and the wider environment at that time.

Contextual characteristics

This is one of 17 timber castles in eastern Dumfries and Galloway, a visible reminder of the Anglo-Norman presence in the landscape. Applegarth motte represents the emerging system of control over land, economy and local administration in medieval Scotland. These fortified settlements were likely to be as symbolic as they were functional in marking the defended lands of emerging lordships. This example is typical, as it takes advantage of a natural feature to enhance its defences. In medieval times, at least part of the surrounding floodplain would have been bog. Mottes such as this tend to be located in the lowlands at strategic, commanding locations and are spread along the Solway and its tributaries, the major river systems of the central lowlands and along the coastline of eastern Scotland (outliers are located further afield in Argyll, Caithness and the Highlands). The group in SW Scotland is of particular note as researchers suggest they strategically mark important territory on the routeways into Scotland from Cumbria and the Solway Firth.

The monument's proximity to the site of the medieval church at Applegarthtown indicates the possibility that this motte was a centre of ecclesiastical power and this may be supported by historical sources. The case for this interpretation is strengthened by the reported find of a medieval stone cross on the site. Although the location of this is now unknown, there is a possible cross-base at the foot of the motte.

Associative characteristics

On the basis of a passage in a later charter, some authors have suggested that there may have been a monastery on or near this site. This is, however, unsubstantiated.

National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to the understanding of the past, in particular the construction and function of medieval lordly residences and defended sites. It may also shed light on the extent and nature of the feudalisation of Scotland and particularly the south-west of Scotland. It retains the potential to inform our understanding of the nature of ecclesiastical power and the role of such sites in the security and control of land, especially close to the border with England. The loss of this example would significantly diminish our future ability to appreciate and understand settlement and land tenure in medieval Scotland.

References

Bibliography

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.