Rock moated site and medieval village

Rock moated site and medieval village is an archaeological site, including a deserted medieval village, in Worcestershire, England, near the village of Rock and about 4 miles (6.4 km) south-west of Bewdley. It is a Scheduled Monument.[1]

Rock moated site and medieval village
Part of the moat, viewed from the north-west
LocationWorcestershire
grid reference SO 733 711
Coordinates52°20′14″N 2°23′38″W
Designated21 July 1992
Reference no.108658
Location of Rock moated site and medieval village in Worcestershire

History

Rock in medieval times is known to have been larger than it now is: in 1328 Henry de Ribbesford, who held Rock, had a grant of a weekly market and of a yearly fair on the feast of St Margaret and two days following.[2]

A moat was usually created as a status symbol, around a domestic or religious building, rather than for practical defence. The reason for this moat is not known.[1] In a description of the village in 1924, for the Victoria County History series, it was thought to be possibly the site of a cattle enclosure.[2]

The Church of St Peter and St Paul in Rock dates from the 12th century, with additions during the 14th century and restoration in the late 19th century.[2]

Earthworks

The moated enclosure lies immediately south-east of the church. It measures 114 metres (374 ft) north to south and 110 metres (360 ft) west to east; the ditch is about 3 metres (9.8 ft) deep with a bank on its outer edge. Halfway along the west side is an original entrance 7 metres (23 ft) wide. The space enclosed is about 0.3 hectares (0.74 acres); the uneven ground there indicates that there are buried features.[1]

Adjacent to the north-east is the site of a medieval settlement; it has been ploughed in recent times, but evidence remains of streets, orientated north-west to south-east, and homesteads of the village.[1]

See also

References

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