Monument record 2403/1/1 - Possible Medieval Moat, Winning Foot Hill

Former moated site. Only an L-shaped pond now survives, which has been widened for cattle drinking. The remainder of the ditch is visible as a cropmark on aerial photographs. The site was a simple, square enclosure about 30m across. Likely to be medieval in date, although only Roman pottery has yet been found in the vicinity

[1} Moat in the extreme north-western part of the parish. Only an L-shaped pond now survives, and this has been widened for cattle-drinking. Air photographs show the rest of the moat as a cropmark {4} and indicate that the site was a simple square enclosure about 30m across, completely surrounded by a ditch 10m wide. No entrance or interior features are visible. Limestone slabs, cobbles and Roman pottery have been found [separate record];

{3} Dark area with bulldozed ramparts showing as soilmarks. See NMJ 5 (1969) 49.

{4} Aerial photographs show the rest of the moat as a cropmark;

{5} Plan.

{6} Portions of the north and east arms of a small homestead moat at TL 00138657. Generally water filled but very low level now reveals limestone blocks (prob dumped during adjacent field clearing and possibly from an original steading on the island). The full extent of the moat is visible on Aps but this had now been ploughed out.
Published survey (1:2500) correct.

{8} Stoke Doyle (TL 001B 66) In October 1964 an extensive area of large flat limestone slabs and flint pebbles was ploughed out close to a pond. On its N side is an area of flat limestone slabs.

{9} Earthworks of the most still survived in 1944.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.91/Site 11 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, TL08NW14 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> Hall D.N., 1960-1999, Rockingham Forest Project: Archaeological Sites Recorded by David Hall, Stoke Doyle/Site 3 (Database). SNN102279.

<4> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, Used with NMR & CUCAP collections (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<5> OS 25 INCH MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN60054.

<6> Colquhoun, FD, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 FDC 04-NOV-69 (Notes). SNN112950.

<7> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, (RAF VAP CPE/UK/2109, 3418-9) (Photographs). SNN104890.

<8> Jackson D., 1970, Fieldwork and Excavation in North Eastern Northamptonshire, p. 42 (Article). SNN4821.

<9> Vertical Aerial Photograph, HE AP: us_7ph_gp_loc190_stbd_13032 flown 2nd March 1944 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN112695.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2025 7:54PM