Monument record 2029 - Moated Site at Mollington

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ36 NE 1 (Index). SCH2487.

[RWE 22/07/1959] The north west side of the moat has been used as a dumping ground for rubbish at sometime in the past, and now has a maximum depth of 0.6m, and an average width of 9.0m. Part of the south west side remains in similar form, and part is traceable as a slight depression in a pasture field. The south east and north east sides could not be traced. A 25 inch survey has been made. [TPW 22/07/1964] Further dumping has taken place and published survey revised. [DJC 11/11/1975] No change to the field reports of 20/07/1959 and 22/07/1964. Revised survey of 22/07/1964 correct.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ3869, 1877-1891 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

This map depicts the north-western and south-western arms of the moat. It is also labelled “Moat (Remains of)”.

<3> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, P176/5426, undated (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

This map depicts the north-western and south-western arms of the moat. This map seems to depict the south-western arm of the moat extending for a further sixty-five metres to the south east beyond Moat Cottage.

<4> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 14/09/2021 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

The tithe map (see 3) may suggest that the moat was substantially larger than originally identified by the Ordnance Survey (see 1), as the south-western arm of the moat continues to the south-east of Moat Cottage and its course can be inferred from the plot boundary to continue for a further fifty meters beyond, before turning to the north-east and running for a further fifty meters and meeting Parkgate Road. There is no evidence on the map, and development of the area limits the use of later sources, to infer or determine that the moat continued on the north-eastern side of Parkgate Road, but such a continuation would encompass Little Mollington Hall (CHER 2006/1). This area may be the site of the main residence of the medieval manor from which the nearby hotel takes its name, Mollington Banastre (see 5).

However, it is possible that the continuation of the south-western arm of the moat depicted on the tithe map is associated with drainage and or fishponds associated with the site. Of note is the long (c.100m) south-west to north east aligned linear pond, described as a moat in the tithe apportionment, to the north-east, which seems unrelated to the definition of the moated platform, and may be a further fishpond.

The inferred maximum size of the moat is large at c.190 metres by 120 metres and is unusual in having a road pass through the moated enclosure. Given the location of the site on the periphery of Chester, it is possible that the moat is utilising some, or all of, some pre-existing earthworks, as the dimensions of the projected extent is more in keeping with the Roman practice camps found elsewhere around Chester, most notably at Upton, where the moat at Upton Grange (CHER 1919) may also have utilised some of the pre-existing earthworks of a Roman practice camp.

<5> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Vol.II p.573-5 (Book). SCH1389.