" they have invaded this land and will keep it in ownership"

Within spitting distance of where we live, there are the earthen remains of a motte and bailey castle. Looking at it's position in the landscape, and trying to imagine what that landscape was like back then, it is very easy to get an idea of the oppression which must have been wrought on the local populace by the Normans.

Part of Wat's Dyke run through it, and a large part of Wat's Dyke is in the woods a few miles away. There is also a considerable chunk by Old Oswestry Hill Fort.

Of course, the Borders/Marches are pock-marked with motte baileys all over the place, indicitive of the struggles fought here. Grim times.

Now there's just drunken fighting in Wrexham town centre on a Friday/Saturday night. Ironically, a fourteenth century manuscript makes mention that the people of Wrecsam are 'interested only in drinking and fighting . . .'

treaclechops x