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Summary

ABBEY HILLS MOATED SITE

Full description

Part of the moat (see source {5}) which enclosed a building, or buildings, of considerable size, is extant. A paved causeway has been found a little below ground level, running in a direct line with the parish church. {6}

In 1814 workmen discovered a small circular room about 1.5m below ground which was entered by 5 steps. On the floor were shells and a steel cleaver. {3}

Fragments of mullioned windows, stained glass and the bases of several pillars have also been found here. {4}

The abbot and monks of the Benedictine Abbey of Bardney held land in Friskney. The layout and name suggest a grange. The monument includes the earthworks of a broad discontinuous moat enclosing a roughly rectilinear island of about 1.1ha in area. The earthworks on the island within the moat suggest the presence of foundations/cellar, ranges of buildings, a yard, ponds and agricultural activity. The monument is considered to be a medieval house, farm and associated ponds enclosed within a moat. A document of the mid 13th century details extensive land holdings in the Friskney area belonging to the Benedictine Abbey of St Oswald, Bardney. The name of the field in which the monument is situated, recorded as early as 1829, is considered to suggest some connection with the abbey. {7}

<1> HBMC, AM 7, - (Scheduling Record). SLI4154.

<2> OS, 1956, OS 6 INCH SERIES, TF 45 SE (Map). SLI3659.

<3> OLDFIELD, E., 1829, TOPOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF WAINFLEET, P172-3 (Bibliographic Reference). SLI939.

<4> William White, 1872, History, Gazetteer and Directory of Lincolnshire - Third Edition, P281 (Bibliographic Reference). SLI887.

<5> RAF, 1946-71, RAF POST WAR COLLECTION, 106G:UK1730,4202,4203,1946, (Aerial Photograph). SLI134.

<6> OS CARD INDEX, TF 45 SE:1,1965, SEAMAN B H (Index). SLI2498.

<7> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 1997, REVISED SCHEDULING DOCUMENT 30210, MPP 24 (Scheduling Record). SLI4327.

Monument Types

• GRANGE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• MOAT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Associated Events

• Excavation at Abbey Hills moated site

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument

Sources and further reading

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.