Medieval to post-medieval moat at Maidens Tye (EHER 979)

A medieval to post-medieval moated site, part of which was excavated prior to levelling in 1965.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Moat (NR). <1> Homestead moat at Maiden's Tye, 1 1/2 miles north-east of church. <2> No longer extant by 1966. <3> Moated site, observed by E. Sellers during levelling. Partial excavation previously in 1958-1959 and in 1960. Dating evidence of occupation 1150-1800. <4> In 1958-1959 trial excavations on the larger of two moated islands by the late J.G. Blyther. These defined an occupation area about 40-75 feet, features found included a large pit. The latter was excavated in 1960 by Mr and Mrs J.E. Sellers and produced 15th century pottery including slip painted jugs and sgraffito ware. In 1965 the site, overgrown with thick scrub, was cleared and levelled. Bulldozing was watched by Mrs Sellers for the then MPBW. The island's ground level was no higher than that of surrounds, the moat upcast must have been removed, perhaps to improve newly cleared soil. Moat was 15-18ft wide round the main island, otherwise it was similar to adjacent field ditches (4-5ft wide x 5-6ft deep). Main island was scraped down to subsoil on three sides, central occupation area being left untouched. No signs of a structure within 30ft of the edge of the moat. Absence of debris indicates a thorough clearance of site, down to removal any metalling on entrance causeway, when buildings were demolished about 1800. Only feature in area was part of a ditch. Fill included domestic refuse and 14th century sherds. Two other groups of pottery were found, a timber slot on the west edge occupation area produced a few late 14th century sherds, another slot to the north near the entrance produced about 40 sherds of rough medieval ware, a few sherds of hard grey ware and a piece of lava quernstone. There was no destruction debris and few sherds from the smaller island to the south. This must have been a stock enclosure or an orchard. Occupation suggested about 1150-1200 to 1800. Earliest pottery can be paralleled at Pleshey Castle, the latest document relating to the site is about 1800. The present name is recent, original one was Chissels, known as a surname in High Easter from 1282 on. <5> Photos in SMR. Eight are of the site, one of a floor tile stamp. <6> December 1975. Field survey. The site of the moat is marked by soil discolouration and undulating plough. No surveyable features survive. <7> See also: <8> - <10>