Moataward

In pasture at the NW end of a ridge running NW-SE, overlooking flat poorly drained land to the N. A circular, steep-sided, flat-topped motte is defined by a mound of earth and stone (H c. 3-4.5m; diam. at base c. 15m). An irregular depression (diam. 2m; D 0.4m) on its summit (diam. c. 7m) is probably associated with the use of the monument by the OS as a spot height. The E face of the motte has partially collapsed. Its base is enclosed by a wide deep fosse (Wth 4.4m; D 1m) from SW-W-N and a shallow depression or dip, which separates it from the bailey, from N-E-SSW. The raised crescent-shaped bailey to the SE of the motte is defined by a scarp (ext. H 1.5-2.5m), a wide external fosse (Wth 4.5m; ext. D 1m) and a tree-lined earth and stone outer bank. Traces of wall-footings are evident along the SE edge of the scarp. The outer bank has been levelled from SE-S. Two livestock gaps are visible: one (Wth 1.7m) at S and one (Wth 2.5m) at WSW, the former is of recent appearance. An unusual feature is that the outer bank widens out into a flat-topped berm (Wth 5-9m; ext. H 1.3m) from WSW-N-E. Well preserved internal wall-footings along the berm, from SW-W-N, indicate it was also stone-faced. The berm only runs around the vulnerable side of the motte, which is not protected by the bailey. The attached LIDAR image is uploaded courtesy of Dr Steve Davis.