Monument record ABK 017 - Feoffee Farm

Evaluation trenching prior to development within a possible moated site (ABK 004), revealed part of a single undated peat filled feature. Trail trenching to the north of a moated enclosure containing a 16th century farmhouse showed that no archaeological remains could be detected in this area. The site under investigation has been badly affected by modern truncation and intrusions. A trench positioned across a northern branch of the moat (as shown on early editions of the Ordnance Survey map) was inconclusive. A deep moat was not revealed but c.700mm of 20th century backfill could be filling a less substantial pond or drain. A documentary survey conducted by Anthony Breen also calls into question the existence of this being a moated site. The tithe map of 1838 does not indicate a moat but shows a series of ponds to the west of the farmhouse. Records indicate that this was always a modest farmstead. If this had been on the site of an earlier ecclesiastical centre it would have been exempt from the payment of tithes and if it had been a significant manorial site it would not have been subject to 'quit rents' (S1).