Monument Type(s):

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

Summary

The damaged remains of a medieval moated site and a fishpond.

Related records

Associated Finds

• FSA2817 - SHERD (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1540 AD)

Associated Events

• ESA1892 - 1979 field observation by the Ordnance Survey
• ESA1893 - 1977 survey and excavation at Romsley Moat and its fishponds, by E W Tipler
• ESA1894 - 1981 field observation by Shropshire County Council
• ESA5798 - 2000 site visit by English Heritage MPP Fieldworker

Description

Romsley Moat was discovered from air photographs taken in the dry summer of 1976. The site was found to be a low rectangular platform, 20.0 m by 45.0 m, oriented north-south, enclosed by a dry moat "of token depth only", except on the west side where the depression is far more substantial. A squarish, subsidiary arm is situated on the north-east side, possibly a fishpond extension. Water feed to the moat appears to have been natural from the ridge slope. Part of the mound surface was bulldozed into the moat some years ago, and the whole feature is much ploughed down. Surface finds included a variety of Medieval sherds. A trench cut across the S bank of the moat revealed a wall foundation running E-W along the crest of the bank at a depth of 30cm. Further Medieval potsherds were unearthed. <2>

Further investigation in 1978, did not include further excavation. Survey was carried out of fishponds to the NE of the moated site. <3>

Rectangular moated site sited on level ground at the bottom of E sloping ground, the land to the E gently slopes away to Romsley Brook. Although ploughed the moat still survives as a low rectangular platform 20m x 45m in area. It is surrounded by a very shallow ditch c0.5m deep except the W arm which is still c 2m deep at its outer face due to it being cut into the E sloping ground. its inner scarp is c1m high. The width of the arms varies widely-W arm 18m, N arm c12m, E arm c9m wide. The S arm is partly overlaid by the adjacent modern road on its outer face and this has partly mutilated and narrowed this arm. A squarish, subsidiary arm extension to the moat is situated at the NE corner, possibly a fishpond extension or drainage feature. The moat was probably water fed by natural seepage from the adjacent ridge slope. There is a slight stone scatter on the island, and trail excavation located a wall foundation running E/W along the platforms S edge. In the pasture fields to the N of the moat is well preserved ridge and furrow and adjacent to this astride the Romsley Brook c250m from the moat is a very well preserved complex of interconnecting dam banks standing up to 2m in height which appear to have been used as some sort of watermill system. these may well be contemporary with the moat. M Watson FI 1981. Includes sketch plan. <4>

The remains of the moat lie at 135m above OD near the head of a valley which runs northward and becomes a steep-sided dingle. It has been much reduced by ploughing, but on the southwest side it is cut into the sloping ground to a height of 1.6m. It is generally as described by[<2>], the platform having an average height of 0.7m. The pond on the northeast, shown water-filled on OS 6" 1966, has now been drained, but it, and parts of the moat were muddy at the time of investigation and being trampled by cattle. No foundations are visible, nor were any finds made. <5a>

See also sites SA 1642 and SA 3442 <6>

Evaluated for MPP in 1990-1: Medium score as one of 133 moated sites; Medium score as one of 52 Fishponds <7>

This rectangular moated site has been substantially modified by ploughing and by the dumping of earth over the last 40 years. The moat arms are now visible as shallow depressions, having been infilled with soil. A minor road has been constructed over the outer edge of the SE arm. This road is pre-19th century in date. The moat arms are between 16m and 23m wide and define a square island apx 40m across. The NE arm has been extended in order to form a possible fishpond, 20m by 40m. This feature has also been infilled and is now visible as a shallow waterlogged depression. ->

-> In 1977 a small scale archaeological excavation was undertaken here. In a trench dug on the SE side of the island the remains of a stone wall were revealed. Within the plough soil over the site sherds of medieval pottery were found <8>

Remains noted in list of moated sites in Shropshire. <9>

Sources

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