Monument record MLI60272 - Moated site, Branston Moor
Summary
Moated site 325m south east of Branston Lodge, Branston Moor
Type and Period (2)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
60272
BRANSTON LODGE IS A MOATED ENCLOSURE CLOSE TO THE CAR DYKE ON BRANSTON MOOR. IT IS A REGULAR SQUARE SHAPE WITH A WATER-FILLED DITCH. IT REMAINS AS A WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AREA. IT IS ALMOST CERTAINLY RELATED TO THE MEDIEVAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE WASTE AND MAYBE THE GRANGE OF KIRKSTEAD BUILT IN C12. THE MONASTERY HAD VARIOUS SHEEPFOLDS IN BRANSTON AND WITHOUT ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION A NON-HABITATIVE SITE CANNOT BE RULED OUT. {4}
The scheduling includes a medieval moated site on Branston Moor, 325m to the south east of Branston Lodge. Overlooking the Fens to the north east, it is thought to be associated with medieval improvement of the wasteland and may have been a grange of Kirkstead Abbey. The abbey is known to have built a grange in the parish during the 12th century and also had various sheepfolds in Branston.
The moated site is large and regular in shape with a wide moat, and covers an area measuring approximately 90m by 85m, including the remains of an external bank. The visible remains include a square platform, or island, measuring approximately 55m across, completely enclosed by a 12m to 18m wide water-filled moat. Part of the island appears to be slightly raised above the level of the surrounding ground and may indicate the site of a former building. The location of the original access to the island is no longer evident.
There is an outlet at the eastern corner of the moat, controlled by a sluice, with an infilled inlet at the southern corner of the moat. Two external banks lie along the moat arms, one to the north east, measuring 9m in width, with a long outer slope and a second external bank, 5m wide, lying along the south western moat arm; the slight earthworks of another external bank are visible on the south eastern side. {6}
Sources/Archives (7)
- <1> SLI2407 Index: OS CARD INDEX. BRANSTON AND MERE. TF 06 NE:3 -.
- <2> SLI2926 Index: SMR file for Branston and Mere. BRANSTON AND MERE. TF 06 NE:B -.
- <3> SLI558 Unpublished Document: BOND, C.J.. 1979. MOATED SITES RESEARCH GROUP. Vol. 6, p. 49.
- <4> SLI4819 Unpublished Document: R.H. Healey and D.R. Roffe. Some Medieval and Later Earthworks in South Lincolnshire. p. 36, plate 21.
- <5> SLI3817 Photograph: MILLS, J. AND MILLS, D.. 1988. Photographs of Branston Lodge moated site. -.
- <6> SLI5385 Scheduling Record: English Heritage. 1999. Scheduling document 31604. MPP 22.
- <7> SLI3613 Map: Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. 1992-1996. National Mapping Programme. TF0668:LI.896.4.1-3, 1996.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 0626 6830 (134m by 124m) Estimated from Sources |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | BRANSTON AND MERE, NORTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (3)
External Links (0)
Record last edited
May 21 2021 2:26PM
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