Monument record 1763/1/2 - Potential moat west of Carden Hall

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Summary

Late nineteenth and early twentieth century depicts a north-north-east to south-south-west aligned sub-rectangular depression which they have interpreted as one arm of a moat which may have originally enclosed Carden Hall. The feature was partially excavated in 2003-4, but no evidence was recovered which could conclusively date or inform the feature’s function. Moated Sites are characterised by a waterlogged ditch that encloses a platform of land where buildings were built though they were also used for horticulture e.g. orchards. They were most popular in medieval times though not necessarily for the defensive advantages of being on an island as they were also seen as a sign of prestige. There are approximately 6000 across England with over 200 moated sites in Cheshire alone.

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Full Description

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ45SE5/1964 (Index). SCH2487.

A possible moat at Carden Hall. The OS identify the moat as a natural widespread hollow. The remains of the W arm are illustrated on OS map.

<2> Chester Archaeology, 1995, A Desk Based Archaeological Assessment of Carden Park, R2684 (Client Report). SCH4793.

A desk-based assessment was undertaken in 1995 for Carden Hall and its estate in advance of proposed re-development. There are suggestions that there was a moated farmstead next to the site of the later Hall, one arm of a potential moat is recorded on historic Ordnance Survey mapping to the west of the hall (1763/1/2). The fashion for building moats was at its height between c. 1275 and 1325, a period when the manor of Carden seems to have been split into two separate parts, which would provide a likely context for the construction of a moat there.

<3> L-P Archaeology, 2005, Archaeological Strip and Map and Watching Brief Report of land at Carden Park, Cheshire, R3945 (Client Report). SCH8146.

An archaeological strip and record and subsequent watching brief was carried out at Carden Park as part of an on-going programme of assessment during re-development of the site. This phase of work took place between May 2003 and June 2004.

A strip and map occurred over the area of the former Carden Hall. This involved cleaning the site of the hall to reveal its plan and associated deposits. Further watching briefs occurred in other areas, especially over an area of land adjacent to the lake. This area revealed a series of deposits that can be associated with the clearance of the hall site following the fire of 1912. Other remains encountered in this trench included a large, negative, linear feature which coincides with a feature labelled as a 'moat' on historic maps.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ4654, 1874-1876 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <1> Index: Ordnance Survey. 1870-1982. Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card. SJ45SE5/1964.
  • <2> Client Report: Chester Archaeology. 1995. A Desk Based Archaeological Assessment of Carden Park. R2684. N/A. N/A. R2684.
  • <3> Client Report: L-P Archaeology. 2005. Archaeological Strip and Map and Watching Brief Report of land at Carden Park, Cheshire. R3945. N/A. N/A. R3945.
  • <4> Maps and Plans: Ordnance Survey. 1871-1882. Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire. 25 inches to 1 mile. SJ4654, 1874-1876.

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (3)

External Links (0)

Location

Grid reference Centred SJ 460 540 (40m by 79m) (2 map features)
Map sheet SJ45SE
Historic Township/Parish/County CLUTTON, FARNDON, CHESHIRE
Civil Parish CARDEN, CHESTER, CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER
Civil Parish CLUTTON, CHESTER, CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Record last edited

Jan 26 2024 4:51PM