Hamstead Marshall Castle 1 is a circular medieval unfinished earthwork motte, founded in the Anarchy, in the reign of King Stephen. For two months in 1153, King Stephen besieged Hamstead Marshall Castle 2 which was being held for the Empress Matilda, by John Marshal. It was probably during this period that the Royalist siege-castle, which stands on a ridge near the old manorial fishponds, was constructed. Only the north-west quadrant encased by a ditch appears to be finished and the mound declines in height southwards. There is no trace of the position of a bailey and on the south-east and east there is no mound as such, only the marking out bank for its base.