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

Brierley Moat lies on the 550 ft contour, on the western side of a bluff which rises to a height of 580 ft. The site is approximately square, and has a total area of 2500 square yards. The central platform measures some 66 ft square and rises six feet from the present moat surface. The moat seems to have been fed by natural springs, and although the stream now flows along the northern channel only, the whole of the moat is muddy. The banks on the outer lip of the moat have been ploughed out, except on the western side. The platform has trees growing upon it, and there is considerable evidence of stonework, particularly on the sides of the platform and moat, and on the platform, and around the outer edges of the moat. To the west a rectangular pool measuring 168 ft by 38 ft was probably a fishpond associated with the moat. A further pool to the south appears to fairly modern. To the west a possible earthwork feature may represent a boundary or outer defence. To the south there are a series of soil marks which were not investigated. <1a>

The moat, generally as described above, was overgrown at the time of investigation. The western bank is a retaining bank (on the downhill side) and there is nothing to suggest that there were formerly banks on the other sides. Individual stones were seen but no stonework in situ. The outer slope of the southern arm has been reduced by ploughing. <1b>

SO 79788584: A marshy flat hollow 0.5m in depth, 44.0m in length from north-west to south-east and 5.0m in width at the higher, south-east end, and 9.0m in width at the open, north-west end, its south-west side is formed by a straight flat-topped bank, 8.0m in width, 1.4m in height internally, and 1.0m in height externally, which turns parallel to the track on its south-west side; it is connected to the moat by a modern drainage ditch but its date and purpose is uncertain and its association with the moat is doubtful although the suggestion [<1b>] is that it was a fishpond. The field to the south was under grass, and nothing of significance was seen. <1c>

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>

SO798859 Moat with fishpond noted in a list of moated sites in Shropshire. <5>

Sources

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