Marston Moat

Coordinates: 51°11′35″N 2°20′03″W / 51.19306°N 2.33417°W / 51.19306; -2.33417
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Marston Moat
The remains of the moat
LocationTrudoxhill, Somerset, England
Coordinates51°11′35″N 2°20′03″W / 51.19306°N 2.33417°W / 51.19306; -2.33417
Official nameMarston Moat
Designated1 November 1966[1]
Reference no.29779
Marston Moat is located in Somerset
Marston Moat
Location of Marston Moat in Somerset

Marston Moat is the site of a fortified manor house in the parish of Trudoxhill, Somerset, England. It has been designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.[2] It is now on the Heritage at Risk Register due to animal burrowing.[3]

The 23 feet (7.0 m) wide moat which measures 108 feet (33 m) by 188 feet (57 m) has a 10 feet (3.0 m) wide and 1 foot (0.30 m) high bank on its south and east sides.[4] It is situated east of the River Frome.

The site was held by the Bigot family of Marston Bigot before 1195. There is some evidence that they fortified it without a licence to crenellate from Edward II.[5] As a result of this and an insult to the King's messenger Richard Bigot lost his titles to land,[6] which were assigned to William de Meriet and John de Meriet.

It was leased as a farmhouse by the reign of Edward IV however none of the stone remains,[2] and no full excavation has ever been carried out.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Historic England. "Marston Moat (1016302)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Marston Moat". Somerset Historic Environment Record. South West Heritage Trust. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  3. ^ "Marston Moat". Heritage at Risk. English Heritage. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  4. ^ "Marston Moat". Fortified England. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  5. ^ "Marston Moat". Castle Facts. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  6. ^ Dunning, Robert (1995). Somerset Castles. Tiverton: Somerset Books. p. 60. ISBN 0-86183-278-7.
  7. ^ Historic England. "Marston Moat (202870)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 25 August 2011.