Marston Moat

Marston Moat is the site of a fortified manor house in the parish of Trudoxhill, Somerset, England. It has been designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.[2] It is now on the Heritage at Risk Register due to animal burrowing.[3]

Marston Moat
The remains of the moat
LocationTrudoxhill, Somerset, England
Coordinates51°11′35″N 2°20′03″W
Official nameMarston Moat
Designated1 November 1966[1]
Reference no.29779
Location of Marston Moat in Somerset

The 23 feet (7.0 m) wide moat which measures 108 feet (33 m) by 188 feet (57 m) has a 10 feet (3.0 m) wide and 1 foot (0.30 m) high bank on its south and east sides.[4] It is situated east of the River Frome.

The site was held by the Bigot family of Marston Bigot before 1195. There is some evidence that they fortified it without a licence to crenellate from Edward II.[5] As a result of this and an insult to the King's messenger Richard Bigot lost his titles to land,[6] which were assigned to William de Meriet and John de Meriet.

It was leased as a farmhouse by the reign of Edward IV however none of the stone remains,[2] and no full excavation has ever been carried out.[7]

References
  1. Historic England. "Marston Moat (1016302)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  2. "Marston Moat". Somerset Historic Environment Record. South West Heritage Trust. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  3. "Marston Moat". Heritage at Risk. English Heritage. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  4. "Marston Moat". Fortified England. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  5. "Marston Moat". Castle Facts. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  6. Dunning, Robert (1995). Somerset Castles. Tiverton: Somerset Books. p. 60. ISBN 0-86183-278-7.
  7. Historic England. "Marston Moat (202870)". PastScape. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
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