Medieval moat and settlement at Parsonage Farm, Wimbish (EHER 1951)

Medieval homestead moat, recorded as being water filled in 1969, with the water filled remains of a probable fishpond to the north-east. The "enclosure" to the south-east, is thought to be drainage channels. Within the same area stands Parsonage Farmhouse, which is probably 19th century.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Rectangular water-filled moat with three fishponds. The moat ditch is 6-13m wide with a depth of 1-2m to water. <1> <2> Homestead moat at Parsonage Farm. Traces of an outer enclosure on the east side may simply be two drainage channels. <3> <4> The Court Rolls 1392 have Parsonage Farm as Personeslane. <5> Note on sketch plan on back of MSRG card that south-west corner of outer enclosure now under farm buildings. <6> The moated site is sub-rectangular in shape and measures 90m N-S by 75m E-W. The arms are between 6m and 10m wide and are partly water-filled. A brick bridge 5m wide crosses the S arm and a footbridge crosses the E arm. The foundations of the original house survive and are incorporated in the present house foundations. The three fishponds are respectively: one to the S, partly water-filled, 30m N-S by 14m E-W, originally connected to the moat by a drainage channel which is no longer visible; one to the E, waterlogged, 40m NE-SW by 30m NW-SE, connected to the NE corner of the moat by a channel 2m wide; one visible as a shallow depression 10m W of the moat, crescent shaped, 16m E-W by 6m max N-S, originally connected to the moat by a channel visible as a shallow depression 2m wide by 0.5m deep. Earthworks in the field W of the moat are thought to be drainage channels. <7> 1969. Field survey. A water-filled homestead moat in good condition. To the north-east is a water-filled rectangular depression which is probably the remains of a fish pond. The 'enclosure' to the south-east is merely drainage channels. Parsonage Farm is probably 19th century. Published 1:2500 survey correct. <8> 1989. Field survey. As described by auths 1-3. <9> October 1995. Evaluation. An archaeological evaluation in October 1995 prior to an extension to the existing 19th century house involved the excavation by hand of three test pits and one linear trench. The results of the evaluation indicate that a significant amount of medieval occupation deposits dating from the 12th to the 14th century still survive within the moated site. It is evident that the platform inside the moat has not been intensively cleared at any stage during or after the medieval period. Medieval levelling/occupation deposits of between 0.35m and 0.38m thick were encountered in at least two of the test pits. A substantial post-medieval build-up may have been a significant factor in aiding the survival of these earlier deposits. Test pit A uncovered a domestic rubbish pit containing 13th century pottery contemporary with pot recovered from test pit C and trench C. this may indicate a main focus of occupation on the site from the 12th to 14th centuries. A flint-built wall located in test pit B is probably post-medieval. A total of 38 sherds of medieval and later pottery was excavated, including one sherd of Hedingham ware. Other objects included iron, copper alloy, clay pipe fragments and bottle and vessel glass all probably post medieval. <10> 1999. Watching brief. A metalled pathway, dry flint cobbling and some pits or ditches of 13th century were uncovered along with 31 sherds of stratified medieval pot from 1200 to early 15th century in date. <11> See also: <12>