More information : [ Marginal ] In 1931, four worked flint flakes, now in
Hanley Museum, were found 'at Endon, on the site known there as
Audley's Moat. The so-called moat is about 400 paces round, and
within the moat or ditch there is a raised platform, which, when
tested with a stick, proved neutral for a few feet round the
edge. Further in towards the centre, a ring of stonework was
proved to be about 8 or 10 inches below the surface, and the
central space was neutral. Towards the eastern edge of the
platform there is a wall of unhewn stone (except those on top) -
the only stone wall in the immediate neighbourhood'. The four
worked flints were found towards the west fringe.
o "It seems probable that we have on this spot some few remains
of a 'ring-barrow' or a 'circle' rather than the site of a
mediaeval residence'(a.). (1)
Hallwater Farm which contains the moat had been owned and
occupied by my family for several generations before I sold it
recently. According to family tradition the moat originally
surrounded a hall - the seat of a Lord de Audley. I never knew
it referred to as 'Audley's Moat', however, and the name it has gone
under has been 'Hall Bank as far back as I can remember.(b)
Centred SJ 93125366: The site was located from information given
by Mr. J.D. Johnston, local Archaeologist, who knew it as
'Audley's Moat', but who felt uncertain about its purpose and
origin.
The worked flints said to have been found at the site are not at
Hanley Museum, and, according to Mr. A.P. Mountford, the
assistant curator, no record exists of their acquisition. (2)
The earthwork consists of a roughly oval, and apparently natural,
mound set in a natural water-course. It is orientated NE-SW and
has axes of 120.0m by 70.0m. A modern East-West road passed
through it.
To the north of the road a fragment of encircling ditch has
survived on the East side but otherwise any ditch which may have
existed there has been obliterated by a complex system of
drainage.
To the south of the road a well defined ditch with an average
width of 7.0m and maximum depth of 0.6m exists around the west
and south sides of the earthwork but on the East side the remains
have been almost obliterated though traces are discernible
extending at a higher level than elsewhere for 40.0m south from
the road.
Parallel with the well defined portion of ditch on the west and
south sides is a narrow 0.4m high platform skirting the foot of
the mound, the remaining slopes being either probably natural or
scarped. The maximum height of the mound is 2.3m. It is
grass-covered and may be a crude and weak form of moated
homestead. No remains of a structure were seen on it.
The earthwork has been surveyed on the 25" antiquity model. (3)
No change. Published survey (1/2500) correct. (4)
(SJ 93125365) Moat (NR). (5)
Additional reference. (6)
'Audley's Moat', earthwork remains (now largely infilled) of a Medieval moat, thought to be the site of a house belonging to Lord de Audley. Scheduled RSM number 21589. (7) |