Monument record 1680 - Old Hall Heys Moated Site

<1> Chester Courant, 1878-1990, The Cheshire Sheaf, v.32 p.99 Wolley Dod, O C 1937 (Newspaper-Magazine). SCH3105.

Near Malpas Station, in a field known as the Old Hall Heys, there are traces of a moated site of a building which local tradition claims is that of the original house of the Dods of Edge. Excavations have turned up nothing there except a dark substance, which might be the residue of burnt or decayed wood. The Liverpool pipe line is carried through the old site, and- the pipe layers turned up nothing of interest. The site is on the extreme edge of the Dod property.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ 44 NE 4, 1976 (Index). SCH2487.

The rectangular, single moat is from 10-12m wide, with an average depth of 0.6m, enclosing an island 38 x 43m. It is dry and under pasture. It is mutilated on the east and south sides, probably during the construction of the Vyrnwy Aqueduct, which cuts across the south-east corner.

<3> Turner R C, 1986, Edge - Notes on the Archaeological & Historic Landscapes (Unpublished Report). SCH1099.

Secondary moats on the edges of medieval townships are quite common features and show secondary and probably non-manorial settlements. Despite the loss of the south-eastern corner of the site during water pipe laying, what survives is of considerable interest. The main platform is surrounded by lesser banks implying complicated water management. Their meaning would become more apparent if planned, but it may be a double moat, or have fishponds and flood banks. The field also retains good ridge and furrow.

<4> Turner R C, 1986, Plan, Old Hall Heys moated site (Graphic Material). SCH2644.

<5> Wilson D et al, 1973-1986, Moated Sites Research Group Records, Witney Lane Farm (Paper Archive). SCH2205.

<6> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 13443 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

Old Hall Heys comprises a small homestead moated site additionally enclosed on two sides by an outer moat. The monument consists of a raised grass covered island 38m x 43m containing a low mound at both the NW and SW corners and faint surface traces of ridge and furrow. The island is surrounded on all sides by a dry moat 10-12m wide and up to 2m deep. A dry outer moat 10m max. width x 0.6m deep runs along the W and SW sides and is separated from the inner moat by a bank 6m wide x 0.6m high. A natural spring that originally fed the moat lies at the N end of the outer moat in a swampy triangular depression. An outer bank flanks the N side of the moat and continues around the W and SW sides flanking the outer moat. The monument is situated in a field known as Hall Heys from late medieval documents. Local tradition claims that it is the site of the original house of the Dods of Edge, although it is not certain that this family did hold it before 1600.

<7> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Vo.II p.684 (Book). SCH1389.

Near one extremity of the Dod estate in Edge, in a place called the Hall Heyes, are vestiges of a mansion, which was most probably the earliest residence of the family. The lines of the moat surrounding the square site are now perfect.

<8> Hanshall, J. H., 1817-1823, The History of the County Palatine of Chester, p.338 (Book). SCH1382.

The old mansion of the family is supposed to have been situated in a place called Hall Heyes, where still exist the outlines of the site, which is square, and of the moat which surrounded it.

<9> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 152/2, 1839 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

The earthwork is not depicted on this map. The plot is called Hall Heyes and is owned by the representatives of the late Thomas Crewe Dodd.

<10> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ4949, 1874-1876 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

This map depicts the earthworks associated with the inner moat. There is a break in the circuit of the inner moat on the eastern side. Further linear earthworks are depicted to the north and south. Labelled: Moat.

<11> United Utilities, 2021, Vrynwy Aqueduct Relining: Malpas to Cotebrook - Borehole Record WS101 (Unpublished Report). SCH9218.

A borehole taken immediately to the south of the Scheduled moated site at Old Hall Heys moated site near Malpas. The work was undertaken by United Utilities in connection with maintenance of the Vrynwy Aqueduct. The borehole revealed peat, woody material, and organic clays to c.3 metres below the modern ground level.