More information : (SP 86585023) Moat (NR)
A homestead moat, now dry; east of it is a rectangular depression,
apparently artificial. (1-2)
Two rectangular depressions E of the moat, probably fishponds. (3)
To the SE of Weston Underwood on the gentle slope above the
River Ouse, within a pasture field, is a moat enclosing an
oval area measuring c 23.0m E-W by C15.0m N-S, and 0.7m
above the natural ground level. The moat, C12.0m wide and
2.0m deep was formerly wet, but the retaining bank in the SE has
been breached, and it is now dry for most of the year. The
overall size and shape of the feature, and the strength of
the ditch in relation to the small enclosed area, suggests
a possible denuded motte.
Immediately SE of the breach in the moat, and at a lower level,
is a dried-up pond, itself breached, which is scarped into the
natural slope. A similar pond, now dry, occurs c 60.0m to the NE.
Their purpose is unknown; they are unlikely to be fishponds
contemporary with the moat as they are at a lower level; more
likely they are associated with traces of a Md landscape nearby.
Resurveyed at 1:2500. (4)
A rapid examination of air photography (5a) shows the moat and fishpond earthworks.(5)
The earthwork remains of the Medieval or post Medieval moat and fishponds described by the previous authorities can be seen on aerial photographs taken in March 2007 as part of the English Heritage Reconnaissance Recording programme. The traces of Medieval ridge and furrow are visible to the south-east of these earthworks centred at SP 8682 5017. Fainter traces of ridge and furrow can be seen to the north-west at SP 8641 5038 adjacent to St Lawrence's Church. (6) |