NHER 39250 (Monument record) - Medieval moated site

Formerly part of Denton deserted medieval settlement, NHER 3489 context 1.

The moat is depicted on (S1) as 'Lynes Moat'.
D. Gurney (NLA), 18 October 2000.

December 2001. (Includes information for NHER 3489 also).
Much felling in wood, a little replanting. Remaining dry arms of moat to north and east now visible 2.5m deep, 2.5m wide.
Site of Newgate House still seen as rise in arable. Thick scatter of flint, brick, carrstone, oyster shells, pottery. Estate asked whether site could be removed from arable.
Finds Late medieval roof tile, 17th century saltglaze pottery, post medieval red ware.
H. Paterson (A&E), 25 January 2002.

March 2003. Site scheduled.
Scheduling Description:
The monument includes the earthwork and buried remains of a moated site on the north side of a stream known as Den Beck, formerly Denton Beck. It relates to the medieval settlement of Appleton, other remains of which survive to the north east and east of the moated site and are the subject of a separate scheduling.
The moat is recorded on a map drawn in 1617 from an original survey of 1595, on which it is named as Lynes Moat, and also on the tithe map of 1839. Part of it has since been infilled, but the full extent is known from the maps and the infilled sections are still marked in places by slight irregularities in the ground surface. It defines three enclosures or partial enclosures, bounded on the south side by the stream which originally supplied it with water. The channel of the stream may have been modified when the moat was constructed, but has undergone extensive recutting and cleaning in modern times and is not included in the scheduling.
The part of the moat which remains open is now dry and is approximately 2m deep and between 8m and 15m wide. It extends north westwards from the stream for a distance of about 42m, then WSW for 112m, bordered by the remains of an internal bank about 0.5m high. These features, with the stream to the south, define a sub-rectangular enclosure measuring about 103m east-west by up to 37m across internally, bounded on the west side by a bank about 0.4m high. From the western end of the open section the buried part of the moat continues north westwards for approximately 55m, then returns north eastwards for approximately 132m. The area contained within this northern part was subdivided by an extension of the moat projecting southward from the northern arm so as to enclose a rectangular island measuring about 42m east-west by 40m internally, with an open ended enclosure to the east. The surface of the island appears to have been artificially raised, forming a platform which probably supported a building, and the southward projection of the moat which divided it from the open ended enclosure to the east remains visible as a slight depression in the ground surface.
The moated site is thought to have contained a homestead with associated yards in the medieval period, and the name Lyne's Moat probably derives from that of an early occupant. A Mary Berney, who went to live with her aunt at Appleton Hall around 1623, is recorded as saying that her uncle, Sir Edward Paston, who was then lord of the manor, had a moated house in a wood about half a mile from the hall where visiting Roman Catholic priests were entertained, and this could refer to Lynes Moat. It is shown as unoccupied on the early 17th century map, but since the latter appears to show only the buildings which existed at the time of the original survey and does not include Appleton Hall, built by Sir Edward around 1598, it is possible that a house had been constructed on the moated site in the interim. The reference may, however, be to another moated site which is shown on the map about 325m further west along the stream and to the south of a wood.
Information from (S2) and (S3).
M. Horlock (NLA), 25 June 2003.