Possible medieval to post-medieval moat, ditch, or industrial site at Marks (EHER 1219)

An alleged moat featuring a dry ditch, fishponds, and remains of a dovecote.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Moat (NR). <1> Homestead moat at Marks. <2> Probably to be associated with the family of Adelolf de Merc (1086), also mentioned 1340-1345, 1343, 1377, 1412, 1567. <3> February 1950. Field visit. Ditch is on a gentle slope. Moat in fair condition. No trace of north and south arms. East and west arms in use as a drainage ditch at present. <4> <5> April 1975. Field survey. A dry ditch shown on the OS 25" at TL 63302378 is not the remains of a moat. Formerly about 60.0m long, but now half filled in, the ditch is about 9.0m wide and 1.5m and has a slight west to east slope which suggests it never held water. There is no trace of other arms and it terminates abruptly at each end. Its purpose is obscure although it appears an unfinished work and may be associated with two connected waterfilled fishponds nearby at TL 63402385 and TL 63362379. A derelict brick and timber dovecote stands at TL 6331 2387. Apart from the fishponds no significant detail is shown on the tithe map of about 1843. Published survey (fishponds) 25" correct. Published survey (ditch) revised. <6> <7> 1977. Field visit. Spring has worn a deep dell, enlarged and dammed in 2 places. Set-up suggests ironworks or similar industry. No suggestion any area was surrounded by a ditch. Depression marked as moat on OS 25", in Stokes' opinion9, is natural. Even if man-made, the steep slope makes an enclosure unlikely. Incomplete, rectangular. <8> Tracing from OS plan card is in SMR. <9> Tracing from Stokes' sketch on back of SMR sheet and back of MSRG card. Sketch based on OS 25" and site visit. <10> <11>