Information for record number MWA580:
Netherstead Moat, Morton Bagot

Summary Netherstead moat surrounds a 16th century timber framed building, and the moat is probably of a medieval date.
What Is It?  
Type: Moat
Period: Medieval (1066 AD - 1539 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Morton Bagot
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 10 63
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

  
Description

  
Source Number  

1 16th century timber framed house.
3 In the 17th century this house was at the nucleus of a sub-manor of Morton Bagot, representing part of the holdings of the Holyoak family. The moat is rectangular in shape and may have fulfilled more of a status function in this instance. It is now dry but clearly visible, especially on the northeast and southeast of the house. At the front of the house it has been partly filled in by the construction of an access road and outbuildings, and on the northwest has been partly destroyed by gardening. A linear pond lying parallel to the moat on the northwest side appears to be a modern feature.
5 The moat is about 8-11m wide and 0.6 to 2m deep and is partially revetted. The moat is still deep on its southeast and northeast sides, but on southwest and northwest is only a shallow depression.
7 Archaeological observation of trial trenches excavated through the presumed medieval moat of Netherstead Farm was able to determine that the earliest extant cut of the moat was 18th/19th century. The base of the moat ditch was lined with domestic rubbish of 18th/19th century date and only two residual medieval pottery sherds were recovered from the site. An 18th/19th century brick stable/barn with a cruck frame that straddled the moat in the position of a gatehouse may hold the key to determining if an earlier moat had previously existed. A further trench machined through the internal platform, adjacent to the house, revealed a sequence of make-up layers of post-medieval or later date.
8 Later work identified the original medieval moat and the remains of a wooden bridge preserved in anaerobic conditions at the base of the moat.
10 Netherstead moat at Morton Bagot was of the typical square form and surrounded the manor house.
 
Sources
Source No: 10
Source Type: Article in serial
Title: Symbols of Status in Medieval Warwickshire (1000-1500)
Author/originator: Hook D
Date: 2014
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 117
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Moated Sites Research Group
Author/originator: IRM
Date: 1984
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Card
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Moated Site, Netherstead
Author/originator: Hooke D
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 3, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1945
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 3
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Building Survey
Title: Netherstead, Morton Bagot
Author/originator: N.W. Alcock
Date: 2006
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Observation Report
Title: Archaeological Recording at Netherstead Farm, Morton Bagot, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Warwickshire Museum
Date: 2003
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Report No 0333
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Plan
Title: Plan of moated site, Netherstead
Author/originator: Hooke D
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: OS Card 25NE6
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1968
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Serial
Title: WMA vol. 46 (2003)
Author/originator: Watt, S (ed)
Date: 2004
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 46
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Moated Sites Research Group
Author/originator: HJU
Date: 1984
Page Number: 25
Volume/Sheet: 6
   
Images:  
A plan of Netherstead Moat, near Morton Baggot
Copyright: D. Hooke
Date: 1979
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
source OS Card Ordnance Survey Record Card. Before the 1970s the Ordnance Survey (OS) were responsible for recording archaeological monuments during mapping exercises. This helped the Ordnance Survey to decide which monuments to publish on maps. During these exercises the details of the monuments were written down on record cards. Copies of some of the cards are kept at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. The responsibility for recording archaeological monuments later passed to the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments. back
source WMA West Midlands Archaeology. This publication contains a short description for each of the sites where archaeological work has taken place in the previous year. It covers Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. Some of these descriptions include photographs, plans and drawings of the sites and/or the finds that have been discovered. The publication is produced by the Council For British Archaeology (CBA) West Midlands and is published annually. Copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
technique Trial Trench A small regular hole that is usually square or rectangular in shape. Archaeologists dig trial trenches to discover if there are any archaeological remains at a particular location. See also excavation. back
period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
more -> 		back
monument LAYER * An archaeological unit of soil in a horizontal plane which may seal features or be cut through by other features. back
monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument MANOR HOUSE * The principal house of a manor or village. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument POND * A body of still water often artificially formed for a specific purpose. Use specifc type where known. back
monument MOAT * A wide ditch surrounding a building, usually filled with water. Use for moated sites, not defensive moats. Use with relevant site type where known, eg. MANOR HOUSE, GARDEN, etc. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument GATEHOUSE * A gateway with one or more chambers over the entrance arch; the flanking towers housing stairs and additional rooms. Use with wider site type where known. back
monument BRIDGE * A structure of wood, stone, iron, brick or concrete, etc, with one or more intervals under it to span a river or other space. Use specific type where known. back
monument PLATFORM * Unspecified. Use specific type where known. back
monument OUTBUILDING * A detached subordinate building. Use specific type where known, eg. DAIRY. back
monument MANOR * An area of land consisting of the lord's demesne and of lands from whose holders he may exact certain fees, etc. back
monument TRENCH * An excavation used as a means of concealment, protection or both. back
monument TIMBER FRAMED BUILDING * A building constructed with a basic timber framework; between the members are panels which can be infilled with timber, wattle and daub, plaster, brick or other materials. back
monument DITCH * A long and narrow hollow or trench dug in the ground, often used to carry water though it may be dry for much of the year. back
monument SQUARE * An open space or area, usually square in plan, in a town or city, enclosed by residential and/or commercial buildings, frequently containing a garden or laid out with trees. back
monument BARN * A building for the storage and processing of grain crops and for housing straw, farm equipment and occasionally livestock and their fodder. Use more specific type where known. back
monument STABLE * A building in which horses are accommodated. back
monument TIMBER FRAMED HOUSE * A house constructed with a basic timber framework; between the members are panels which can be infilled with timber, wattle and daub, plaster, brick or other materials. back
monument FARM * A tract of land, often including a farmhouse and ancillary buildings, used for the purpose of cultivation and the rearing of livestock, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument DOMESTIC * This is the top term for the class. See DOMESTIC Class List for narrow terms. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record