Bury Mount
It is similar to other local mottes located at Northampton, Buckingham, Little Houghton and Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire.
The Towcester Motte controlled the junction of Watling Street and the long-distance route from Southampton to Stamford, which went through Winchester, Oxford, Brackley and Northampton, now the A34 and A43 trunk roads.
The motte is located in Towcester on the north-east side of the A5 in Moat Lane, at the side of Towcester Town Hall next to St Lawrence's Church and near the Forum Building which is the home of South Northamptonshire Council; the mount also lies east of the market square.
More historical details are described on the South Northant's Council's website including the restoration project for the motte and all the Moat Lane area.
In this area would be living quarters for the constable of the castle and the small permanent garrison, detached kitchens, a brewhouse, barns and sheds for storage of food and equipment, stabling, privies, a well and accommodation for livestock.
Shortly before 1824, possibly whilst they were excavating away the south-west section of the mount to construct a cottage, a "subterraeneous arched passage fifteen yards in length" was found.
The town was re-fortified and Bury Mount was converted into a platform for 2 cannon which was probably slighted when the Royalists left in the spring of 1644.
The remains were restored in 2008 with an access ramp, landscaping around the River Tove and mill stream and explanatory plaques.
[3] The below list[4] shows 15 key moments in Towcester's history that have been commemorated by inscriptions in the inset stones on the spiral path to the top of Bury Mount: Internet Other
