Campfield, (possible site of Eaton Tregoz Castle) - Foy

SMR No. 850    Grid Ref: SO 6054 2820

Foy is a parish 5km to the north of Ross -On-Wye. Half a mile to the east of the Parish Church of St Mary at Foy is a site named Campfield. The area is locally known as Hill of Eaton or Eaton Tregoz.

Description

An L-shaped length of scarped hillside with arms projecting northwest and southwest, which appears to be largely natural. Below the northeast arm is a smaller scarp, probably of a later date and constructed in connection with cart track. The area is known locally as Camp Field, but there is little definite evidence for the existence of a camp
The site offers a good situation for a castle earthwork, but there no apparent remains of one. it has been suggested that this may be the site of a possible Iron Age fort.

There is a possibility that this is the site of Eaton Tregoz castle that was built by John de Tregoz, whose family were lords of Ewyas Harold and were considerably important during the 13th century. Robinson documents that in 1280 John de Tregoz was permitted to endow a chapel within his castle to St John the Baptist. The castle later passed through the family line to the de Grandisons, who in 1309 were granted a license to crenellate by King Edward II. By 1375 the castle was in the hands of Hugh Waterton. An Inquisition on Hugh de Waterton dated 1420 details the castle buildings as: a hall with buttery and pantry; a great chamber above; a parlour; a chapel; several other chambers; a kitchen, bakehouse and brewery; stables and barns; a lower and outer gate, both with chambers over; two mills and a deer park of 144 acres. Another Inquisition of 1433 lists the deer park as 1,000 acres enclosed.

The castle continued to be used by the Abrahall family who gained possession of the castle in the 15th century. The last male heir of the Eaton branck of the Abrahall family was the Revd. George Abrahall who died in 1673, and his co-heirs divided the property.

2nd possible site of Eaton Tregoz Castle

Grid Ref: SO 6120 2870

This site is close to the hamlet of Hole-in-the-Wall on the opposite bank of the River Wye from Foy, and not far from the other suggested castle site.

A description of 1805 notes that 'At a place called Hole-in-the-Wall are the remains of some ancient building, consisting of the foundation of some well built walls with huge stones lying about. The site is now occupied by many cottages' (Brayly & Britain - Description of Herefordshire). Kelly's Directory for 1891 is more definite: 'There once existed here a strongly fortified castle, dismantled and left ruinous during the feudal wars; only a portion of its walls now remains.'  It has been suggested that Court Farm and the adjoining cottages are all parts of the 'castle' complex. The Archaeological Research Section of the Woolhope Naturalists Field Club made visits in 1971 and 1995 and noticed many reused dressed stones. Court Farm contains a stone-vaulted cellar and an ogee-arched doorway. In 1971 dressed stones were found in the area including transoms and others with moulding and chamfers, some of which were being used as kerb stones.

Herefordshire Archaeological News - 25 (1971) & 64 (1995)
Revd. Robinson - The Castles of Herefordshire and their Lords