Possible medieval to post-medieval moat at Rowney Corner, Wimbish (EHER 174)

An alleged homestead moat - a doubtful antiquity which may be more recent ditches.

The remains of two adjoining ditched enclosures, the north-east example being sub-rectangular, the south-west sub-oval. All that remains of the former is the north-west arm and a fragment of the south-west arm still waterfilled, about 3.5m wide. The other ditches are visible as soil marks. The ploughed enclosed area measuring 60m north-east by 30m transversely is at the same level as the surrounding ground and no remains of structures can be seen. The sub-oval enclosure measuring 60m north-west to south-east by 50m transversely is bounded by a wet ditch 4m wide on average with gaps in the north-east and west sides. The interior, 3m above the surrounding ground level, is ploughed with a light scatter of roof tile in evidence. According to the landowner a farm (of unknown age) existed here until the 19th century when gutted. The ditches are of similar character to the modern field ditches which connect with the enclosure and there is therefore some doubt that this is a homestead moat. <1> - <4> Tracings on back MSRG card from 1840 Tithe Map, OS 2nd Ed 25", 1958 6". <5> - <7> NRHE data transfer: Moat with traces of an outer enclosure on the north-east. <8> Moat (NR). <9> 1975. Field survey The remains of two adjoining ditched enclosures, the north-east example being sub-rectangular, the south-west sub-oval. Of the former only the north-west, and a fragment of the south-west arm about 3.5m wide still remain waterfilled. The other ditches are visible as soil marks only. The ploughed enclosed area, measuring about 60.0m north-east to south-west by 30.0m is at the same level as the surrounding ground, and no remains of any buildings can be seen. The sub-oval enclosure measuring about 60.0m north-west to south-east by 50.0m is bounded by a wet ditch, some 4.0m wide with gaps in the north-east and west sides. The ploughed interior, about 0.3m above surrounding ground level, has a light scatter of roofing tile in evidence. According to the landowner, a farm of unknown age, existed here until the late 19th century when it was gutted. The ditches are of similar character to the modern field ditches which connect with the enclosure, and there is therefore some doubt that this is a homestead moat. The tithe map of 1840 shows the same detail as OS 6", with no significant names. Published 1:2500 survey revised. <10>