Monument record 1430/1 - Foxtwist Moated Site, two fishponds and connecting channels.

<1> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Turner R C 1987 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

Within the enclosure are two possible pillow mounds, north-west of moat and pond to north. Eastern boundary formed by bank and ditch of later Adlington Deer Park. Note two ancient lime trees.

<2> Public Record Office, 1930-33, The Register of Edward the Black Prince, Vol. III (Book). SCH3058.

The timber framed hall of Robert de Foxtwist was moved from this site in 1357 by the Black Prince to become Macclesfield's Market Hall.

<3> Lysons D & Lysons S, 1806-22, Magna Britannia, Lysons 1810 vol. II p.726 (Book). SCH2066.

"Foxwist-Hall in this township, for several generations the seat of the ancient family of Duncalfe, has been for nearly two centuries in the Leghs of Adlington: it is at present occupied by a cottager: the lands now form part of Adlington-park."

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ87 NE 1 White JH 02/04/1964 (Index). SCH2487.

A homestead moat, mainly dry, inpasture land. Average 18m wide, 2.5m deep. Includes survey.

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

<6> White Francis, 1860, History, Gazetteer and Directory of Cheshire, p.210 (Book). SCH1410.

<7> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 13448 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

The monument at Foxtwist comprises a small homestead moated site, additionally enclosed on three sides by an outer moat, and also adjacent fishponds and connecting channels. The monument includes a raised grass covered island c.31m x 18m possessing faint traces of the foundations of a cottage and the remains of a small orchard. Surrounding the island is an inner moat c.6m wide x 2m deep, waterlogged on the W side where it has formed a pond. Access to the island is from the SW via a well made causeway 3m wide with flanking ditches. A dry outer moat extends around the NW, N and E sides and was fed by a waterlogged pond on higher ground some 90m to the E linked by a channel now much reduced by ploughing. A dry channel, now utilised as a modern field boundary, runs NE-SW adjacent to the E side of the inner moat. Close to the SE corner of the inner moat this channel broadens and deepens and continues S for some 85m before turning W to link with a dry rectangular fishpond c.47m x 12m x 1m deep. William de Foxwist lived in the manor house at the site in the early 13th century. This was dismantled in 1357 and re-erected in Macclesfield where it served as the Market Hall. A new structure was erected on the moated site and this passed by marriage to the Duncalf family, eventually being sold to the Leghs of Adlington in 1609 who have owned the site ever since. By the end of the 17th century a small cottage had been built on the site. This building was demolished c.1920.

<8> Stewart Brown, R, 1910, Cheshire Chamberlains Account 1301-1360, p.251 (Book). SCH7091.

<9> Bagshaw S, 1850, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of the County Palatine of Chester, p.196 (Book). SCH383.

<10> Cole, A, 1987, The Duncalf Dossier Vol. 1 No. 1 (Newsletter). SCH7095.

<11> Various, Written Communication to the HER, Cole, A 1977 (Written Communication). SCH3756.

Foxwist means 'dwelling of the foxes'. It was a small medieval manor house in existence by the thirteenth century. The manor house was built to be defensible and had two moats. The outer moat was drained .1840. When the moat was drained it was said that many relics were found, including swords, armour and a bronze crucifix of an early date. The hall was dismantled in 1358, whilst Robert de Foxwist was exiled, and transported to Macclesfield for use as the town hall. The second hall had been replaced by a cottage by the late 1700s. This was photographed in c.1905.

<12> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Vol.III p.668 (Book). SCH1389.

<13> Earwaker, J P, 1877-1880, East Cheshire Past & Present, Vol.II p.258-9 (Book). SCH1080.

'Foxwist Hall, or The Foxwist, is now represented by a small cottage standing on the site of the ancient house. This was formerly surrounded by a moat, the situation of which is clearly shown. The water was drained out about 40 years ago, and it is said that many ancient relicts, swords, armour, etc. were subsequently found, including an old bronze cricifix of early character. The figure of our Lord having become detatched from the cross, the latter was thrown away, but the former was preserved...'

<14> National Remote Sensing Centre Ltd, 1992-3, National Remote Sensing Centre County Survey (1992-1993) (Aerial Photograph). SCH5297.

Elements of the moat and southern channel visible.

<15> Bluesky International Ltd, 1999-2003, 1999-2003 Bluesky Survey (Aerial Photograph). SCH5482.

Elements of the moat and southern channel visible.

<16> Bluesky International Ltd, 2010, 2010 Bluesky Survey (Aerial Photograph). SCH5444.

The inner moat is clearly defined. The outer moat is visible to the north and west, as are the southern and eastern water channels.

<17> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 81/1 & 2 1850 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

The tithe map depicts two ranges of buildings on the moated platform. The colouring suggests the southern range is the house. The eastern water channel is depicted. Boundaries follow the majority of the surviving earthworks.

<18> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ8979 - 1873 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

Depicts two ranges of buildings on the moated platform. They are surrounded to the east and south by an orchard. A well is depicted on the eastern side of the moated platform

<19> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ8979 - 1909 (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

The southern range of buildings have been demolished.

<20> University of Manchester, 1984, Survey Exercise at Foxtwist Moated Site (Photographic Archive). SCH7094.

Photographs and aerial photographs.

<21> Unknown, Unknown, Foxtwist Moated Site (Photographic Archive). SCH7096.

<22> Unknown, 1989, Photographs of Fruit Trees on Foxtwist Moated Site (Photographic Archive). SCH7097.