HER 385 DESCRIPTION:-

Scheduled Monument Description:-

The monument known as Margaret's Camp [or Queen Margaret's Camp] includes a moated site with what survives of an associated system of water management features, situated on the southern outskirts of Tewkesbury. Part of the site, on its northern side, has been affected by development and is not included in the scheduling.

The moated site is central to the monument and comprises a central square platform measuring 30m across surrounded by a moat, about 8m wide and 1.5m deep with no surviving evidence for an internal or external bank. The north eastern corner of the moat has degraded over time and the ditch is not as clearly visible as the rest of the enclosure. The land slopes away from the moat to the south and south west, towards a pond, and an elaborate system of channels appear to have drawn water from the moat to this pond. A ditch, approximately 8m wide and 1.5m deep runs south from the moat, dog-legging to the west to join a much deeper ditch which runs from the northern end of the site into the pond. This second ditch is about 12m wide and up to 1.5m deep at its southern extent, but only about 6m wide and between 1.5m and 0.5m deep further to the north. The pond itself, which is at times water-filled is an elongated 'L'-shape and approximately 2m deep. Other water management features in the form of shallow and degraded ditches are visible running across the site, the most significant of which runs east to west at the northern end of the field, disappearing under the modern road on the west and under the housing estate on the east. This ditch is about 8m wide and 0.5m deep. There is no evidence for similar earthworks to the south of the pond. The surviving earthworks associated with the moated site suggest that the complex was originally larger, stretching into the area of housing development to the north and east.

The moated site is believed to take its name from the battle of 1471 when Queen Margaret is said to have spent the night before the battle in the area. Excluded from the scheduling are all modern fences, metal and wooden gates and their associated gateposts, although the ground beneath these features is included {Source Work 2873.}

Five sided earthwork, probably dug after the battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, possibly as a gravel-pit or as a memorial of the Battle {Source Work 52.}

Scheduled as a secular site.

Complex of earthworks comprises a partially water-filled moat with an apparently contemporary enclosure annexed to its S and W sides. Running from the SE corner of the enclosure is an L-shaped gully incorporating a pond. This feature appears to be contemporary. Unlikely that this is a gravel-pit, battle memorial or a motte and bailey. Probably a rather elaborate homestead moat {Source Work 862.}

Additional detail {Source Work 862.} visible on APs {Source Work 3283.}

Earthworks situated in field bounded on three sides by built environment {Source Work 5420.} the area of the inner earthwork (moat), to its N and E appears to be under permanent? pasture. An eastern extension of the outer enclosure is clearly visible in this area running N-S parallel to the modern field boundary with the housing estate. There is possibly a gap in the SE corner of the moat, and earthwork irregularities between the S side of the moat and the outer enclosure. The S and W sides of the outer enclosure and the ditch extending from its SW corner are under improved pasture-plough marks are visible. Further details seen on OS APs cannot be traced.

Well preserved ridge and furrow in vicinity {pers comm S Brown}.

Cambridge APs {Source Works 3149, 2932, 2936.}. {Source Work 3149.} is a very dark print, taken from the E and including ridge and furrow. {Source Work 2932.} print 70 taken from the N, 71 is a close up. {Source Work 2936.} earthworks are unclear {pers comm S Brown}.

Other AP cover {Source Work 5000.} RAF and {Source WORK 566.} Severn Trent (both verticals).