Monument Type(s):

• MOAT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1540 AD)
• MOATED SITE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1540 AD)

Summary

Scheduled Monument: A well-preserved example of a medieval moated residence, one of the smallest known in Shropshire, and associated fishpond.

Related records: None recorded

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA2922 - 1970 survey by Stour and Smestow Archaeological Society
• ESA2923 - 1979 field observation by the Ordnance Survey
• ESA2924 - 1980 field observation by Shropshire County Council

Description

Small well preserved square moated site, intact and complete. The island is c 23m square and the waterlogged moat is up to c 2m deep and c 4.5m wide. The island is raised c 1m above surrounding ground level. There is an outer retaining bank on the W side. The moat appears to have been fed by a spring which rises at the NE corner of the site. M Watson FI 1980 <2>

Evaluated for MPP in 1990-1, High score as one of 133 Moated sites <3>

Scheduled in 2002. Scheduling description: ->

-> The monument includes the earthwork, upstanding structural and buried remains of a medieval moated site and an associated fishpond, which lie within two separate areas of protection. ->

-> The moated site is situated on a gentle south west facing slope at the base of an escarpment. The moat, which is waterlogged, is fed by a spring at its north eastern corner. The arms of the moat are between 7m and 9m wide, and define a square island approximately 21m across. The internal faces of the moat were revetted with stone and served as the base for a sandstone block curtain wall around the island, the bottom course of which is still partly visible. ->

-> Material excavated from the moat has been used to raise the south western part of the island by about 1.5m above the level of the surrounding land in order to create a level building platform. Spoil from this operation has also been used to form an external bank, about 6m wide, alongside the south western moat arm. Its northern end has been cut by a modern drainage ditch. ->

-> Fifty metres to the south west of the moated site, and within the second area of protection, is a rectangular fishpond, which retains water. It is aligned north west to south east and is approximately 55m long and 10m wide. It was created by digging into the south west facing slope, and the material excavated was deposited along its south west side to form a dam, which is about 7m wide and stands,to a height of 1.2m. The northern end of the dam has been breached providing an outlet for the water. A modern drainage ditch feeds water from the moat to the pond. It is not included in the scheduling. ->

-> All fence posts are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath them is included. <4>

<00> Shropshire County Council SMR, Site and Monuments Record (SMR) cards, SMR Card for PRN SA 03229 (Card index). SSA20722.

<01a> Stour & Smestow Archaeology Group, 1970, Stour & Smestow Archaeology Group Research Paper (Volume). SSA8341.

<01> Ordnance Survey, 1979, Ordnance Survey Record Card SO78NE6 (Card index). SSA8342.

<02> Watson Michael D, 1980, Site Visit Form (Field recording form). SSA8343.

<03> Horton Wendy B, 1990/ 1991, MPP Evaluation File (TEXT). SSA20084.

<04> English Heritage, 2002, Scheduling Papers (New Scheduling, 07/03/2002) (Scheduled Monument notification). SSA20780.

Sources

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