More information : [Centred SU 95207978] MOAT [G.T.] (Remains of) (1)
The moat [to the south of Cippenham court] probably marks the site of
what has been called the palace of Richard Earl of Cornwall, King of
the Romans. There was certainly a capital messuage with the manor of
Cippenham acquired by the Earl of Cornwall in 1252, in which he must
occasionally have resided, as his foundation charter to Burnham Abbey
in 1266 is dated at Cippenham, but it is hardly likely to have been of more importance than an ordinary manor house (2). Moat-condition: good; ditch nearly dry (3) Homestead Moat (Class F) (4). (2-4)
The remains of this moat consist of a large dry ditch with average
dimensions of 15.5m.
The ditch is crossed by a causeway on its western side.
The enclosed area is grass covered and is considerably covered by
vague depressions and banks - possibly representing foundations of
buildings. (5)
A dry sub-rectangular moat under permanent pasture and light scrub.
It measures c 115.0m E-W by C 100.0m transversely, varying between
10.0m and 15.0m in width and c 1.5m average depth. A pronounced
internal counter scarp (average c 1.2m high) encloses a level
interior, where profuse nettle growth indicates former occupation.
There is no trace or local information of the 13th c Royal Manor
House site.
On AP Taken and held by C Stanley (a) shows a contiguous broad soil
mark ditch extending in a semi-circular shape southwards from the
south side of the moat ditch. The dimensions are underterminable,
and no trace was found on the ground. (6)
Additional bibliography. (7,8)
The following features were mapped from good quality air photographs:-
Medieval moat, seen as earthworks. Morphological description: an
asymmetric, polygonal enclosure, 100m by 85m, defined by 1 ditch on
4 sides, with 1 entrance.
Centred at:-SU 9520 7978
(Morph No. TG.540.1.1)
Possible Medieval annexe, seen as cropmarks. Morphological
description: an incomplete, regular, curvilinear enclosure, 95m by
45m, with 1 straight side, defined by 1 ditch.
Centred at:-SU 9519 7971
(Morph No. TG.540.1.2)
This description has been generated from the RCHME MORPH2 database.
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