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Date: |
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Description: | 60272
BRANSTON LODGE IS A MOATED ENCLOSURE CLOSE TO THE CAR DYKE ON BRANSTON MOOR. IT IS A REGULAR SQUARE SHAPE WITH A WATER-FILLED DITCH. IT REMAINS AS A WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AREA. IT IS ALMOST CERTAINLY RELATED TO THE MEDIEVAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE WASTE AND MAYBE THE GRANGE OF KIRKSTEAD BUILT IN C12. THE MONASTERY HAD VARIOUS SHEEPFOLDS IN BRANSTON AND WITHOUT ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION A NON-HABITATIVE SITE CANNOT BE RULED OUT. {4}
The scheduling includes a medieval moated site on Branston Moor, 325m to the south east of Branston Lodge. Overlooking the Fens to the north east, it is thought to be associated with medieval improvement of the wasteland and may have been a grange of Kirkstead Abbey. The abbey is known to have built a grange in the parish during the 12th century and also had various sheepfolds in Branston.
The moated site is large and regular in shape with a wide moat, and covers an area measuring approximately 90m by 85m, including the remains of an external bank. The visible remains include a square platform, or island, measuring approximately 55m across, completely enclosed by a 12m to 18m wide water-filled moat. Part of the island appears to be slightly raised above the level of the surrounding ground and may indicate the site of a former building. The location of the original access to the island is no longer evident.
There is an outlet at the eastern corner of the moat, controlled by a sluice, with an infilled inlet at the southern corner of the moat. Two external banks lie along the moat arms, one to the north east, measuring 9m in width, with a long outer slope and a second external bank, 5m wide, lying along the south western moat arm; the slight earthworks of another external bank are visible on the south eastern side. {6} | Subjects: | General Archaeology | Temporal: | 1066 - 1539 | Source: | Lincolnshire County Council | Identifier: | http://www.lincstothepast.com/Records/Re... | Go to resource |
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