| Summary : A medieval moated site situated in a prominent position overlooking a natural pool known as Blake Mere. Documentary sources indicate that a manor house belonging to the Le Strange family existed here in the 12th century. It passed to the Talbots in the 14th century, and in 1383 was the birthplace of John Talbot, the first Earl of Shrewsbury. The Talbot family sold the manor in 1590 and by the end of the following century the house was in ruins. The moated site was constructed on ground which rises from south to north, alongside the former edge of Blake Mere. Three of the four moat arms that define the island survive as visible earthworks and are now dry. The south western arm has been filled in. The north western and south eastern arms are about 14 metres wide, the north eastern arm is about 20 metres wide and the width of the south western arm was probably similar to the arm on the opposite side. The island measures 56 metres north west to south east. In 1963 a trench was dug across the south eastern moat arm. During this investigation artefacts dating between the 12th and 13th centuries were discovered, together with the remains of two 16th century retaining walls and a prehistoric axe-head. Scheduled. |
More information : (SJ 55994247) Moat (NR) (1)
A moated mound on the southern side of Blake Mere. Two sides of
the moat remain with a stream, probably the feeder on the south
west side. The north west side slopes down to the waters edge of
Blakemere. It is said to have been associated with the Le Strange
family since the 12th century and to have been the site of a
manor house in 1650. By 1695 it was in a ruinous condition.
Excavations were carried out in 1963 by Griffiths and Ellis who
cut a section 32 feet long by 3 feet wide through the south east
side of the moat, starting 4 feet from the top of the mound and
going through the ditch up to the natural level of the field.
Seven layers were discovered dating from the possible 13th century
to 19th century. Finds included pottery, metal objects and a
prehistoric axe-head found at the very bottom of the ditch. (2)
Annotated survey at 1:2500. (3)
The earthwork comprises a prominent, flat-topped rectangular
earthen mound, some 60.0m square and 1.0 to 1.5m in height above
the surrounding ground, surrounded by a weak ditch of 10.0m
maximum width, and with an average depth of 0.7m. The mound has
been dug away for the soil on the W side, and the ditch is barely
traceable.
From the elevated position of the earthwork, above the Mere to
the N, and allowing for ploughing and silting up, it is unlikely
that the ditch was ever of any great depth or held water. The
site is probably that of a manor house.
The Whitchurch Museum collection is in store awaiting new
museum premises.
Published 1:2500 survey, 1963/71, correct. (4)
SJ 559424. Remains of manorial moat listed (5).
SJ 559424. Moated site SE of Blake Mere. Scheduled no 196 (6)(7) |