Moated site identified by Anne Reeves in 1990. Md pottery and tile found in adjacent field. (1) Scheduled 20.2.97 (2)

From the National Heritage List for England:
Details
The monument includes a medieval moat and an area of associated small fields, or closes, situated on low-lying, artificially drained land which forms part of Romney Marsh, c.1.2km north west of the channel coast at Dymchurch. The moat lies within the northern part of the monument and has a roughly square, north-south aligned island measuring c.50m by c.55m. Fragments of roof tiles, masonry rubble and sherds of pottery dating to the 14th century found on the eastern side of the island indicate the presence of a medieval building, now surviving in the form of buried foundations. A roughly circular hollow on the western side of the island may represent a contemporary pond. The island is surrounded by a now mainly dry ditch up to c.12m wide and c.1m deep. The northern arm of the ditch forms part of a major drainage channel known as Marshland Sewer. This has been the subject of regular modern dredging which will have destroyed all medieval remains, and is therefore not included in the scheduling. The profile of the northern edge of the moated island has been partly obscured by an artificial bank formed by regular dumping of the dredged material. The associated closes lie to the west and south of the moat and take the form of a least three irregular fields enclosed by shallow, now dry ditches. Historical sources suggest that the moat was strategically placed to allow control of the drainage and water supply system of the area, and lay on the intersection of three former parishes. Marshland's Bridge, the modern gateposts, fence and wooden tracking situated on the northern edge of the monument are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath these features is included.

Reasons for Designation
Around 6,000 moated sites are known in England. They consist of wide ditches, often or seasonally water-filled, partly or completely enclosing one or more islands of dry ground on which stood domestic or religious buildings. In some cases the islands were used for horticulture. The majority of moated sites served as prestigious aristocratic and seigneurial residences with the provision of a moat intended as a status symbol rather than a practical military defence. The peak period during which moated sites were built was between about 1250 and 1350 and by far the greatest concentration lies in central and eastern parts of England. However, moated sites were built throughout the medieval period, are widely scattered throughout England and exhibit a high level of diversity in their forms and sizes. They form a significant class of medieval monument and are important for the understanding of the distribution of wealth and status in the countryside. Many examples provide conditions favourable to the survival of organic remains.

The moat and associated closes at Marshall's Bridge survive well in the form of earthworks and buried remains and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to the construction and use of the monument. The monument forms part of a small group of well preserved moats on Romney Marsh, an area in which moats cluster, but where many have been substantially damaged or destroyed by modern agricultural operations.

Description from record 1158276:
Medieval moat and associated small fields. The moat is roughly square, aligned north south and measures approximatly 50m by 55m. The moat is now mainly dry and measures up to 12m wide and 1m deep. The northern arm of the moat is part of a majdrainage chanel called the Marshland Sewer. Fragments of roof tiles and masonary have been found on the eastern side of the island indicating the presence of a building. A roughly circular hollow on the west side of the island may represent a pond. To the west and south of the moat are associated closes these are small fields formed by now dry ditches. Scheduled (1). The probable medieval moat previously recorded here as part of its Scheduled Monument Notification is visible on aerial photographs of 1946 and 2006 as an extant earthwork. This feature has been mapped from aerial photographs as part of the South East RCZAS NMP project. The probable medieval moat is centred at TR 0914 2992, at Marshalls Bridge on the southern side of the Marshland Sewer. Three sides of the square moat are visible on aerial photographs of 1946 and 2006 as an extant earthwork. As previously noted, the northern side of the moat is formed by the Marshland Sewer channel. The total area covered by the moat is approximately 77m east to west and 65m north to south. The ditch itself varies between roughly 8-12m wide. The enclosed area measures 57m east to west, and 52m north to south (2-3).

Anne Reeves, 1992, Romney Marsh: The Fieldwalking Evidence (Unpublished document). SKE6783.

Anne Reeves, 1992, Romney Marsh: The Fieldwalking Evidence (Unpublished document). SKe6783.

<1> Scheduled Monument Notification (Unspecified Type). SWX23688.

<1> Eddison, J., 1992, A Report on the Archaeological Implications of the Proposed By-Passes for St. Mary's Bay & Dymchurch, J Eddison 1992 Arch Implications of A259 Dymchurch By Pass (RMRT) (Unpublished document). SKE6774.

<2> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, Pers Comm EH to KCC 20.2.97 (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<2> RAF, 1946, NMR RAF/106G/UK/1439 4025-6 30-APR-1946 (Photograph). SWX23812.