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Wilmington Manor, Boughton Aluph

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
Park Barn Farm

In the civil parish of Boughton Aluph.
In the historic county of Kent.
Modern Authority of Kent.
1974 county of Kent.
Medieval County of Kent.

OS Map Grid Reference: TR03064641
Latitude 51.18076° Longitude 0.90396°

Wilmington Manor, Boughton Aluph has been described as a Fortified Manor House although is doubtful that it was such.

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

Description

The remains of a homestead moat are located in fields to the north of Park Barn Farm. The moat is 250m square, about 2m deep and about 10-13m wide and was once considered one of the finest examples of a homestead moat in Kent. The majority of the site was extensively damaged by bulldozing in 1974/5. Following this a rescue recording operation was undertaken by the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit They found evidence of a bridge and three other buildings as well as a dupondius of Marcus Aurelius. Most of the features recorded at the site were dated to the 13th and 16th centuries although very few finds were noted. The moat was originally designated as a scheduled ancient monument in 1962, but was descheduled in August 1990. (Kent HER)

About a mile and a half south of the parish church is this typical example of a simple homestead moat, of which a plan is given. In works of this class the earth dug to form the moat, or fosse, was thrown inwards and spread, thus raising the enclosed space above the level of the surrounding land and securing a dry, well-drained site. Access was originally afforded by a drawbridge or removable platform. (VCH)
Comments

Whilst the loss of this scheduled moated site is a travesty the description of it as fortified by Philp seems rather loose. Other than the moat there doesn't seem to be little evidence of 'fortifications'. A wall, at least 55cm thick, along one arm of the moat is described as a possible 'if taken to any reasonable height' curtain wall. It was more generally described as a 'homestead moat' which, however unsatisfactory a term that is, gives a better idea of its status and form.
Links to archaeological and architectural databases, mapping and other online resources

Data >
PastScape   County HER   Descheduled        
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Sources of information, references and further reading
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The bibliography owes much to various bibliographies produced by John Kenyon for the Council for British Archaeology, the Castle Studies Group and others.
Suggestions for finding online and/or hard copies of bibliographical sources can be seen at this link.
Minor archaeological investigations, such as watching brief reports, and some other 'grey' literature is most likely to be held by H.E.R.s but is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded here, or elsewhere, but some suggestions can be found here.
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This record last updated 26/07/2017 09:19:30

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