Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

Trinitarian Priory founded c.1224 and dissolved 1538. The site includes a moat and fishponds.

Monument Types

• DITCH (DITCH, Medieval - 1224 AD to 1538 AD)
• TRINITARIAN MONASTERY (Medieval - 1224 AD to 1538 AD)
• FISHPOND (Medieval - 1242 AD to 1538 AD)
• MOAT (MOAT, Medieval to Modern - 1242 AD to 2050 AD)
• FARMHOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1700 AD to 2050 AD)

Associated Finds

• BUTTON (Medieval - 1200 AD? to 1399 AD?)
• CAME (Medieval - 1224 AD? to 1539 AD?)
• NAIL (Medieval - 1224 AD? to 1539 AD?)
• ROOF TILE (Medieval - 1224 AD? to 1539 AD?)
• WINDOW GLASS (Medieval - 1224 AD? to 1539 AD?)
• BULL (Medieval - 1243 AD to 1254 AD)
• FLOOR TILE (Medieval - 1275 AD? to 1325 AD?)
• JUG (Medieval - 1275 AD? to 1520 AD?)
• BULL (Medieval - 1308 AD to 1389 AD)
• CLOTH SEAL (Medieval - 1350 AD? to 1539 AD?)
• DRESSED STONE (Medieval - 1350 AD to 1500 AD?)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

[TQ 81894641] Priory [NR] Site of [NAT] (1)

Moatenden or Mottenden - a priory of Trinitarians founded c. 1224 dissolved 1538. (2)

A large well-preserved, rectangular moat at Moatenden, averaging 11.0m. in width, encloses an area measuring 120.0m. NW-SE by 110.0m. transversely and incorporates natural ponds in the SW angle. Adjoining these is a small square-ended pond which may have been a fishpond. All are water-filled except part of the NW arm of the moat. On this side also is a strong outer retaining bank. Moatenden farmhouse, a timber framed structure faced with 18th century and modern brick, also incorporates stone windows and four-centre arched doorway, probably re-used materials from the site. 1/2500 Survey revised. (3)

Checked and correct (Survey of 29.11.61) GPS AO/63/122/6 and 7. (4)

Moatenden Priory, Grade II. (5)

Additional bibliography. (6-17)

The moated enclosure incorporates work of 2 distinct periods, a small, earlier, semi-circular moat, possibly of an earlier manorial site, being incorporated into the large, main moat. A resistivity survey revealed that the church was a simple aisleless structure, only the S. wall seems to be unrobbed. A small section of the N. walk of the cloister was confirmed by trial trench. Further structures were located in the SE. quadrant of the moated enclosure. Immediately to the S. of the main moated enclosure is part of the outer precinct of the priory. The greater part of the S. side of the precinct is divided by a network of silted ditches, possibly some the remains of a Medieval field system (TQ 84 NW 60). Romano-British finds have been found to the E. of the house, suggesting the presence of a contemporary occupation near-by (TQ 84 NW 62). Watching Brief at Moatenden Barn conversion, 1995. Barn probably mid- 18th century. Timber framed weatherboard on stone plinth. Underpinning trenches indicate series of small ditches, probably a continuation of the ditches in the precinct, possibly forming a network of enclosures for crops/livestock. (18, 19, 20, 21)

<1> OS 6" 1961 (OS Card Reference). SKE48369.

<2> Md Relig Houses Eng & Wales (1952) 181 (Knowles & Hadcock) (OS Card Reference). SKE46703.

<3> F1 ASP 01.12.62 (OS Card Reference). SKE41861.

<4> F2 CFW 16.01.64 (OS Card Reference). SKE43244.

<5> DOE(HHR) Borough of Maidstone Kent 21 November 1986 42 (OS Card Reference). SKE40870.

<6> Bldgs of Eng-West Kent & the Weald 1980 321 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE38144.

<6> Newman, J., 1980, Buildings of England: West Kent and the Weald, Bldgs of Eng-West Kent & the Weald 1980 321 (J Newman) (Monograph). SKE7817.

<7> Moated Sites Research Group 6 (Ed C J Bond) 1979 47 (OS Card Reference). SKE47299.

<8> Notitia Monastica 1787 Kent (Naismith) xlii (Tanner) (OS Card Reference). SKE47712.

<9> Yorks Archl J 8 1884 232 (H E Chetwynd - Stapylton) (OS Card Reference). SKE51424.

<10> Md Relig Houses Eng & Wales 1971 205 206 (D Knowles & R N Hadcock) (OS Card Reference). SKE46706.

<11> Page, W. (ed), 1926, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Kent Volume II, VCH 2 1926 205-208 (A G Little) (Monograph). SKE7944.

<12> Unknown, 1859, Inquisitiones Post Mortem, Arch Cant 2 1859 292 (Article in serial). SKE8016.

<13> History of Sandwich 195 (Boys) (OS Card Reference). SKE44155.

<14> Valor Ecclesiasticus 1 80.81 (OS Card Reference). SKE50788.

<15> Hasted, E., 1786, The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent: Volume 2, Hist & Topog Survey of Kent 2 391 (E Hasted) (Monograph). SKE8061.

<16> Field report for monument TQ 84 NW 4 - December, 1962 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4356.

<17> Field report for monument TQ 84 NW 4 - January, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4357.

<18> N. END OF EAST SIDE OF MOATENDEN PRIORY AT HEADCORN. (Photograph). SKE2562.

<19> MOATENDEN PRIORY AT HEADCORN - N. END OF WEST SIDE. (Photograph). SKE2563.

<20> Aldridge, N., ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY OF MODDENDEN PRIORY (Excavation archive). SKE6553.

<21> Aldridge, N, 1995, Moatenden Barn Conversion, Headcorn, Watching Brief 1995 (Unpublished document). SKE8014.

Sources and further reading

Related records