Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Monument Number 338864
Hob Uid: 338864
Location : Oxfordshire Cherwell Ardley
Grid Ref : SP5393027350
Summary : A sub-rectangular earthwork enclosure representing an earthwork ringwork, situated circa 100 metres south west of Manor Farm in Ardley Wood. The earthwork consists of a 7 metre wide ditch which is open to a depth of circa 2.3 metres with a single causeway entrance in the north east corner. The ditch encloses an area 66 metres from north to south and between 40 metres and 50 metres from east to west. There was originally a low internal bank which is now only visible on parts on the north west and south east sides. Where visible this measures circa 2.5 metres wide and stands up to 0.6 metres high. This may well have been much more substantial or included a palisade or wall in its original form. Within the enclosure are several possible building platforms which may represent accommodation or stables. The monument is believed to have originally been a Norman ringwork reused later in the medieval period as a dry-moated settlement site. Scheduled.
More information : [SP 5393 2735] Moat [NR] Castle [NR] (Site of) (1-2) An oval enclosure surrounded by a moat (3). Site of the 12th c. Ardley Castle (4). (3-4) A moat about 180ft. square, ditch clearly defined. Densely overgrown with trees and shrubs. No signs of any internal buildings. (5) A sub-oval earthwork of indeterminate type, known locally as the site of Ardley Castle. It comprises a ditched enclosure on level ground covered by scrub. It measures overall c. 62.0m E - W by 80.0m N - S, with the ditch c. 7.0m wide and 2.3m deep. A possible causeway crosses the ditch at the NE angle but no evidence remains of the ditch having been water-filled. The interior has been disturbed by surface quarrying, but the remains of a possible building platform c. 0.8m high are recognisable at SP 5394 2735, on the east side, and there is slight internal banking to the ditch on the NW and SE sides. Published survey (25") revised. (6) SP 540274: Moated site in Ardley Wood, scheduled. (7) (SP 539273) Earthwork (NR) (8) SP 539273: Remains of Ardley Castle comprise a well-ditched enclosure with a low bank; either a ringwork or a bailey with no motte. Some traces of buildings. (9)

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Source details : OS 6" 1923
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Source details : OS 6" 1955
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : Oxford County Museum Records 6" and Record Card No 2526
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : F1 PAS 01-MAY-74
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Source Number : 7
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : OS 6" 1982
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Source Number : 9
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Source Number : 10
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Source details : 11/07/1997
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Norman
Monument End Date : 1154
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Ringwork, Bailey
Evidence : Earthwork, Conjectural Evidence

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Re-used later in the medieval period
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1155
Monument Type : Settlement, Building Platform, Stable
Evidence : Earthwork, Conjectural Evidence

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : OX 84
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 28166
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SP 52 NW 2
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Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1974-05-01
End Date : 1974-05-01

Historic England Research Records

Monument Number 338864