Site of medieval shrunken village of Wicgepet (EHER 3971)

The possible site of the medieval deserted settlement of Wicgepet, noted in the Domesday Book. North of Rockell's Farm (TL 468366) are earthworks not on OS maps.

Only minor fields and later quarrying observed in the field. Soon to be ploughed. At TL 46813653 remains of a possible moat. Recut and landscaped in recent years and no longer considered an original antiquity. No evidence of antiquity in the farm buildings and no surface traces of desertion. <1> North of Rockell's Farm (TL 468366) are earthworks not on OS maps. Possibly the lost Domesday settlement at Wicgepet, further investigation planned. <2> in <1> Soilmarks visible at TL 468365. <3> Earthworks of shrunken settlement and field system at Rockell's Farm? Earthworks show on AP's in pasture to the north and east of the farm. 3 small rectangular banked and ditched enclosures to the north of the farm-fish ponds? To the south and east further earthworks connecting with an existing pond. <4> <5> If this is Wicgepet then it is possible that the site of the 14th chapel of 'Wygyefosse' may be among the earthworks. <4> <7> Apparently nothing shows on OS AP's. <6> in <1> See also: <8> <9> Site Assessment: In 1977 some or all of the earthworks were 'soon' to be ploughed. <1> Assessment of what remains is needed. In March 2000 little survived of these earthworks. The whole area has been landscaped and now comprises a series of private fishing lakes. Fields to the north and east of the lakes are still under plough and slight undulations in these fields may represent the surviving remnants of the deserted medieval settlement, perhaps denuded ridge and furrow. There is no visible evidence for the 14th century chapel of 'Wygyfosse', although it is possible that its foundations survive in the fields under plough. It is recommended that the fields under plough to the north and east of the fishing lakes be targeted by aerial reconnaissance during the winter months. A programme of fieldwalking might also be usefully employed as a means of determining the extent of survival. <10> NRHE data transfer: "North of Rockell's Farm, Elmdon (TL 468366) are earthworks not shown on OS maps. These may represent the lost Domesday Settlement of Wicgepet: further investigation is planned". <11> TL 46753655. Perambulation of the field north of the farm revealed only minor fields and later quarrying. These are soon to be ploughed. Published at TL 46813653 is a feature possibly the remains of a moat. It has been recut and landscaped in recent years and can no longer be considered an original antiquity. Inspection of OS air photographs proved negative. The present farm buildings show no evidence of antiquity and there are no surface traces of desertion. <12>