Monument record 1697 - Earthworks off Chorlton Lane

<1> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, p. 301-2 (Book). SCH2878.

Watkin reports the remains of a rampart and ditch near Chorlton Hall. His description of the The rampart is located on the western side of field 6 (as marked on the OS map of the period) Roman camp. At its northern end it crosses the highway diagonally and reappears in the field on the opposite side of the road. At this point the rampart turns at a right angle to the east and contiunes until it reaches the eastern rampart where it turns another right angle to resume it's north easterly course. Road between these two angles in built upon the rampart. The south-east part of the camp has be reused for a moat of an old mansion, possibly Chorlton Old Hall.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ 44 NE 9: Waggot T.P. 10/11/1964 (Index). SCH2487.

The moat and the camp are contemporaneous and are part of a complex series of ponds and water channels that are apparently no more than former water-gardens or, less likely, a decoy. They are best preserved in the woodland to the north, where it is apparent that the 'moat' nver had a northern arm.

<3> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R 03/12/2012 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

Watkins description of the course of the earthwork are hard to follow. However, his camp would appear to be a collection of earthworks of differing origins. Those forming the north-easter and south-western sides of the camp respect/are respected by the adjacent ridge and furrow and are clearly relict field boundaries. The three arms of the postulated moat are clearly defined as earthworks, as is the 'bank' Chorlton Lane sits on. Earthworks between the two are probably also relict field boundaries (see 4).

<4> Bluesky International Ltd, 2010, 2010 Bluesky Survey (Aerial Photograph). SCH5444.

Earthworks are visible on these photographs.

<5> Royal Air Force, 1944-1947, 1940s RAF Aerial Photographs from Operation Review (Aerial Photograph). SCH8041.

Earthworks are clearly visible on these photographs.

<5> The GeoInformation Group, 2005, 1940s RAF Aerial Photographs from Operation Review (Aerial Photograph). SCH4608.

Earthworks are clearly visible on these photographs.

<6> Bluesky International Ltd, 1999-2003, 1999-2003 Bluesky Survey, Cropsmars are visible on these photographs. (Aerial Photograph). SCH5482.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, 05sj4648 1874-1875 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

This and later maps (see 8 & 9) depict the moat and a series of ponds and other earthworks within woodland to the immediate north-east.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, 05sj4648 1898 (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

See 7.

<9> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, 05sj4648 1911 (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

See 7.

<10> Wilson D et al, 1973-1986, Moated Sites Research Group Records, Chorlton Hall (Paper Archive). SCH2205.