Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A homestead moat and enclosures in a copse at Moat Plats. The moat was formerly used as a rubbish dump but remains in good condition. Evidence of enclosures have been identified from banks on the north east side of the moat, and these are thought to be contemporary. The moat may possibly be the remains of the Manor of Coptgrove the former residence of the Clares of the Manor of Brenchley. During excavations in the 1990s the extent of the platform and ditches were investigated. No traces of occupation were found.

Monument Types

• ENCLOSURE (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1900 AD? (at some time))
• MOAT (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1900 AD? (at some time))

Full description

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[TQ 67934448] In Moat Plats, a copse adjoining the former Paddock Wood Vicarage, there is a small homestead moat, practically drained and formerly used as a rubbish dump but generally in good condition. On the N.E. side there are a few lesser banks which appear to be the remains of contemporary enclosures. No history for this site was obtained during recording. Surveyed at 1:2500. (1) Moat Plats, Paddock Wood, this site is not listed in checklists of moated sites in Kent. (2,3) Site visited in 1990 and no earthworks visible. Site poss identified as manor of Coptgrove held directly by or for the Clares of th Manor of Brenchley (Moat Plats a more recent name) with refs to John de Coppegue in 1294 and was later held by the Copgrove family. (4) Trial excavation in early 1990s defined the platform at 16m wide with 10m wide ditch tapering to 12m at the bottom (1.4m deep). There was no sign of occupation found on the platform and the ditch had been backfilled within the last 50 yrs. (5) Site visited in 1996 and no signs of occupation were noted on the island. Top soil mechanically stripped from an area 2m by 25m by contractors working on adjacent water pipe line. Excavation took place adjacent to the Old Vicarage (now Burnside House). The ditch appeared to be a minimum of 10m wide at the top and a minimum of 4m at the bottom and the depth 1.4m. Above the base of the ditch silting was revealed and a spoke from a post-1930s motor-bike was found. Ditch showed further silting with layers and suggests the installation of clay drains. (6)

Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, A.J. Daniels (Maidstone Area Arch. Group) Unpublished Report, 1996. (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, A.J. Daniels (Maidstone Area Arch. Group) Unpublished Report, 1996. (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

A.J. Daniels, 1996, Excavation of Moated Site at Moat Platt, Church Road, Paddock Wood (Unpublished document). SKE6647.

A.J. Daniels, 1996, Excavation of Moated Site at Moat Platt, Church Road, Paddock Wood (Unpublished document). SKe6647.

<1> F1 CFW 22-JAN-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42705.

<2> Moated Sites Res Gp 6 1979 46 (OS Card Reference). SKE47250.

<3> Arch Cant 93 1977 220 (OS Card Reference). SKE36140.

<4> Field report for monument TQ 64 SE 7 - January, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3262.

<5> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, MS by Tom Hollobone, pers comm to KCC 5//7/1996 (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<6> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, AJ Daniels: Excavtion by Maidstone Area Arch Group (Report c1992) (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

Sources and further reading