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Oversley Castle in later years came
to be known as 'Boteler's Castle', for in Norman times it was the home of the Botiler
family, lords of Oversley manor, until in the mid Middle Ages they transferred their seat
to Wemme in Shropshire. Nothing now remains of the structure and the likelihood is that it
was a wooden tower, standing on a modestly-sized knoll to the east of the River Arrow. Oversley Court once stood to the north-east of this small hill and up to this century was represented by a single barn, which like the Court, has disappeared. Oversley Court becamethe home of one of the manorial lord's chief tenants. The proof of occupation is shown by the scatter of pottery which comes to light occasionally. This applies also to the Castle site for the Society has part of a mediaeval tile, which may have come from the chapel attached to the castle. |
A mediaeval cemetery site and a holy well (Our Lady's Well) lie on the eastern side of the Roman Icknield Street and may be associated with the castle's history. This area of Oversley Manor has more sites of archaeological interest than is usual in such a small area. The recently-opened by-pass which cuts through this section of Oversley is not shown on the diagram. Upper Oversley Lodge Farm for some years, been styled 'Oversley Castle' but this is what, at one time, would have been called a 'conceit’