Monument Type(s):

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

Summary

Levelled moated site of medieval date.

Related records: None recorded

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA1516 - 1962 field observation by the Ordnance Survey
• ESA1517 - 1975 field observation by the Ordnance Survey
• ESA1518 - 1981 field observation by Shropshire County Council
• ESA1519 - 1984 field observation by Shropshire County Council

Description

The name Castle Ditches and the confirmation of the ground point to there having been some sort of fortified place in the field <1a>

In 1981 the site was recorded thus: Sited on a level area of ground in undulating country. Rectangular moated site much mutilated of which only the island survives relatively intact. This measures c35m square and is raised c 1m above the surrounding ground level. It is difficult to detect any possible building platforms due to the dense undergrowth. Much of the moat ditch has been destroyed or mutilated due to marl or gravel digging…M.Watson FI 1981 <5>

In 1984 it was reported that earthmoving activity was taking place at the site. This was confirmed by a site visit, when although there was no activity taking place, such operations were clearly both recent and incomplete. The objective of the work was presumed to be the infilling of the ponds and gravel diggings, by pushing the moat island down into them. No surface finds were made and no man made features were observed in the surface left by the earthworking machine, which appeared to have scraped and graded down to below subsoil level. P Ward FI 1984 <6>

Evaluated for MPP in 1990-1, Low score as one of 133 Moated sites. <8>

<00> Shropshire County Council SMR, Site and Monuments Record (SMR) cards, SMR Card for PRN SA 01151 (Card index). SSA20722.

<01ai> Anon, 1842, Tithe Award Map for Cheswardine (Map). SSA4556.

<01a> Donaldson-Hudson R, 1939, The Parish of Cheswardine, p40 (Monograph). SSA3783.

<01> Ordnance Survey, 1975, Ordnance Survey Record Card SJ72NW5 (Card index). SSA4557.

<02> Anon, Oblique View (Oblique aerial photograph). SSA17118.

<03> Musson Chris R, 1983, CPAT 83/01/0020 (Oblique aerial photograph). SSA17119.

<04> Musson Chris R, 1983-Mar-20, CPAT 83/S/0033 to 0034 (2 photos) (Oblique aerial photograph). SSA17120.

<05> Watson Michael D, 1981-Jan-21, Site Visit Form, 21/01/1981 (Field recording form). SSA4559.

<06> Ward Penny A, 1984-Oct-19, Visit Notes, 19/10/1984 (Site visit report). SSA4560.

<07> Ryan Carole, 1983, Castlefield (Photograph). SSA4558.

<08> Horton Wendy B, 1990/ 1991, MPP Evaluation File (TEXT). SSA20084.

Sources

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