Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A series of ditched enclosures probably connected with medieval agricultural practices. It is not clear if they date from the time of the priory or the earlier manorial site.

Monument Types

• FIELD SYSTEM (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1800 AD?)

Full description

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A series of ditched enclosures probably connected with medieval agricultural practices just south of Motyden (Moatenden) Priory. It is not clear if they date from the time of the priory or the earlier manorial site (TQ 84 NW 4).

The underpinning trenches excavated in connection with the conversion work of a barn at the priory site (TQ 84 NW 57) indicated a series of small ditches all of a similar date and type underlying the site of the barn. Although they lacked any datable finds it would appear likely that they represent a continuation of the small ditches visible on air photographs which possibly formed a network of small enclosures for crops and/or livestock and maybe associated with either the Medieval priory, or the earlier manorial site. However in the light of Romano-British material located 80m NE of the barn, it cannot be ruled out that some of the ditches could be earlier than Medieval although no similar Romano-British material has been found in the area of the barn.(1, 2)

<1> Aldridge, N., 1995, The Trinitarian Priory of Motynden at Headcorn, CXV pages 177- 212 (Article in serial). SKE8012.

<2> Aldridge, N, 1995, Moatenden Barn Conversion, Headcorn, Watching Brief 1995 (Unpublished document). SKE8014.

Sources and further reading