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Mote Hills is probably the best preserved medieval earthwork castle in Northumberland. It was built by Robert de Umfraville, a relative of William the Conqueror not long after the Norman Conquest and stands on a natural spur of a hill. The mound is 15m high and 80m in diameter across the base, and 46m across the top. The motte is surrounded by a strong rampart on the north and east sides, while the west side is protected by steep natural defences dropping to the Elsdon Burn. The bailey lies to the north of the motte and is separated from it by a ditch, some 15m wide. The bailey is almost rectangular and measures 72m long by 48m wide and is strongly defended on all sides by a massive earthen rampart. There is a shallow ditch around the whole castle. It is thought that the Elsdon castle was the predecessor of the family seat at Harbottle
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