Leigh Hall moat

Description

Moated site situated on a N facing terrace on the S side of the Rea brook valley, the moat lies on the N side of the gently sloping terrace, the ground falling away to the N and NE. The moat is trapezoidal in shape and measures c 809m NW/SE x 45m SW/ NE overall. The ditch, which is waterfilled, averages 1.5m deep to present silt level and up to c 10m wide. There is an external bank on the NE and NW sides. A causeway crosses the ditch in the centre of the NW arm-it appears modern in its present form but probably marks the course of the original entrance. Most of the SE arm and the SE end of the SW arm have been filled in. At several points the base of the moat ditch is metalled with rammed stone (probing). The moat's water supply was probably largely from seepage though there is an inlet drain running into the SW corner-not necessarily contemporary with the moat. The moat island is revetted with a stone wall, much disturbed by trees, but in places up to 2m high. The moat island contains one of the few examples of standing medieval masonry on a moat in the county. It is a 5m length of wall standing 2.5m high situated on the edge of the island on the SW side; its function is uncertain. There are also mounds representing possible building platforms at the NW and NE corners. large stones also indicate the presence of other buildings on the island and in particular the foundations of a large rectangular probable gatehouse structure on the NW side adjacent to the causeway. The island is generally in good condition and appears to be relatively undisturbed. A small T shaped trench was excavated across the moat ditch in May 1978 in advance of dredging. beneath superficial humus and rubble was located a hard rammed rubble surface lying on the demolition rubble of a building, partly of brick, with stone roof slates. Below this was a fine grey clay. The site is probably the manor house of the Corbets of Leigh-Juxta-Caus from the early C14, the manor being held prior to that time by the Hager family. Moat probably abandoned in the C17, possibly as the result of damage in the Civil War. (Shropshire SMR report)