Rye Hill Common moated site (EHER 3725)

Rye Hill Common medieval moated site includes a rectangular island measuring some 80m east-west by a minimum of 64m north-south, raised approximately 0.5m above the surrounding ground surface. The island is contained by a moat or ditch measuring approximately 2m in depth and up to 10m wide on the west, north, and east sides. The southern arm of the moat and the southern ends of the eastern and western arms have been infilled and are, together with the southern end of the island, now incorporated into the ploughed field to the south. An east-west aligned pond on the island, which measures 20m in length and up to 10m wide, is considered to be a fishpond. The site is a Scheduled Monument.

Moated site, 0.75 mile west of Latton Priory, Little Parndon. Rectangular moat, 112m x 96m east-west with arms 9m-11m wide. It is in fair condition although overgrown. The south arm has been almost filled in by ploughing and the south end of the east arm has been mutilated. A gap in the south east corner may have been the original entrance. A pond within the moat at TL 45500662 may be an old fishpond. <1> <2> <3> <4> The moat is 80% dry but was flooded within living memory. Building foundations are visible within the moat. On the north and west sides, the moated enclosure is raised 0.5m, it is level on the other two sides. 'On the north and west sides, the moat is steep and deep. On the east side it is only 1m deep and interrupted. On the south, the length shown on the 1920 OS and shaded on the plan is now ploughed out and scarcely visible. The site at present is bounded by a string of depressions (one a pond) on the south. A trough, interrupted by a causeway, joins these depressions. Mr Fouldes, the owner, remembers all sections, including the ploughed out south side holding water'. <5> 1973. Site visit. Sketch plan on back of MSRG card. <6> Fosters Farm is probably to be associated with William Forster, mentioned in 1466. <7> The moated site includes a rectangular island measuring some 80m east-west by a minimum of 64m north-south, raised approximately 0.5m above the surrounding ground surface. The island is contained by a moat or ditch measuring approximately 2m in depth and up to 10m wide on the west, north and east sides. The southern arm of the moat and the southern end of the eastern and western arms have been infilled and are, together with the southern end of the island, now incorporated into the ploughed field to the south. An east-west aligned pond on the island, which measures 20m in length and up to 10m wide, is considered to be a fishpond. Further depressions and associated disturbance on the eastern side of the island are thought to have been created by buildings which were recorded on the 1920 OS map and which were still visible as foundations when the site was visited in 1973 by the Moated Sites Research Group. <8> See also <9> <10> <11>. NRHE data transfer: (TL 45340664) Moat (NR) <12> A homestead moat is visible 3/4 mile west of Latton Priory, Little Parndon. <3> "This feature is in an undisturbed condition in pasture land. Slopes of up to 1.5m (5ft)". <13> A now-dry rectangular homestead moat measuring overall 112m north-south by 96m east-west, the arms being 9 to 11m wide. The moat, through overgrown with trees and bushes, is in fair condition, except for the south arm which has been reduced by the plough to a very shallow depression in a wheatfield, and the south end of the east arm which has been mutilated. A gap in the southeast corner may have been the original entrance. A pond within the moat at TL 4550 0662 may be an old fishpond. Published 1:2500 survey revised. No change of 29-APR-76. <14>