NHER 6593 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - 'The Castle' or 'Moatyards', south of Bessingham Wood

Moat according to the Ordnance Survey. Known as the Castle, or Moatyards.
Deep wide ditch, waterfilled on north and damp elsewhere, but said normally to be dry.
Interior raised and bumpy, overgrown with trees. External embanking on south. In pasture field with 19th century bullockshed on east.
North side field is several feet higher than rest, forming steep north side to north arm moat and steep slope north of shed, though east of moat slope is terraced. Area of field east of moat contains many earthworks, notably ridges and ditches running away to east and southeast towards church.
West of moat many earthworks humps and bumps.
Same on south but here banks pass through hedgerow and continue across next pasture field to a stream. Mound here at 1637 3714 0.9m (3ft) high, about 9.2m (30ft) across, grassed, fresh looking, many clay pigeon fragments - recent shooting mound? (site refered to as barrow in (S1), but probably a mistake). General appearance like a deserted medieval village - manorial outworks?
See NHER 6591 for finds that have been attributed (wrongly?) to this site.
Details in file.
E. Rose (NAU).

April 2000. Visit.
Old acorn tress in need of attention, as these very ragged and prone to uprooting.
Site may be entered for Stewardship this year. Failing this an S.17 may be negotiated for one year until Summer 2001.
H. Paterson (A&E) 31 May 2000.

December 2003. Visit.
Site now under Countryside Stewardship Agreement. Most of the ragged thorn trees growing on the banks have been cut either to ground level or 0.6-0.9m (2-3ft) above. Good grass cover, grazed by sheep. Ditches mainly dry.
H. Paterson (A&E) 8 January 2004.