Summary
The monument includes the earthwork and buried remains of a medieval moated site and two associated fishponds.
Reasons for Designation
Merryfield moated site and associated fishponds at Ilton are scheduled for the following principal reasons:
* Survival: as a well-preserved example of a medieval moated site that is unencumbered by later development;
* Potential: the survival of below-ground archaeology relating to the layout and type of structures that formerly occupied the moated island and waterlogged deposits have the potential to enhance our understanding of the construction, occupation and abandonment of the moated site;
* Documentation: the existence of documentary evidence contributes to our knowledge of the site and its significance;
* Historic interest: for its association since the C14 with the Wadhams, a wealthy and philanthropic family who founded Wadham College, Oxford in in the early C17.
History
Around 6,000 moated sites are known in England. They consist of wide ditches, often water-filled or seasonally water-filled, partly or completely enclosing one or more islands of dry ground on which stood domestic or religious buildings. The majority of moated sites served as prestigious residences with the provision of a moat intended as a status symbol rather than a practical military defence. The peak period during which moated sites were built was between about 1250 and 1350 and by far the greatest concentration lies in central and eastern parts of England. They were constructed by all seignorial sectors of medieval society, both lay and ecclesiastical. Some were manor houses while others served as the messuages (a dwelling house together with its outbuildings, curtilage, and the adjacent land appropriated to its use) attached to freehold estates.
The manor of Merrifield (known historically as Murefield, Merefield and various other spellings) was held during the late C13 and early C14 by John de Ilminster. Several sources (The History of Ilton Church, 2004 and Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeology and Natural History Society, 1934) refer to the lands of Merrifield being given to Athelney Abbey by King Alfred in 878 AD; however, the abbey is reputed not to have been founded until 893 AD, so some years later. Merryfield is mentioned in a lay subsidy of 1327 (HER, see Sources) by which time it was part of the estate of the de Beauchamp family of Hatch Beauchamp. It was acquired by Sir John Wadham in the late C14 and the moated manor house at Merryfield, as it is now known, became the family’s principal residence. The house was described in 1633 (Street, see Sources) as a ‘fine ancient house, moated in, and neighbouring with a parke’. The park was established in the early C16 and is shown on a map of 1575 which names it ‘Meryfield Park’. The Wadhams were a wealthy and philanthropic family, and Oxford-educated Nicholas Wadham (1532-1609) who inherited in 1577 devoted considerable funds to educational purposes. He intended to establish a college at Oxford but died before his scheme materialised and it was subsequently overseen by his widow Dorothy; Wadham College was founded in 1610 and completed in 1613. After Dorothy’s death in 1618 the Wadham lands were inherited by Nicholas’ nephew Sir John Wyndham (1558-1645) of Orchard (later Orchard Wyndham) near Williton and became part of a substantial estate. The house at Merryfield appears to have been demolished shortly afterwards and material from the site is said to have been re-used for the construction of several local buildings.
The tithe map for Ashill of 1838 depicts the four arms of the moat and three buildings occupying the west and east sides of the moated island. The accompanying apportionment records that it was owned by George Wyndham, fourth Earl of Egremont, and leased to John Cuff. The buildings are described as ‘Barn, Barton’ and the surrounding land is a mix of meadows, pasture and arable. Until recent years there was a large boulder on the moated island which is no longer extant and has been the subject of local legends.
Beyond the north-west corner of the moated site are two ponds. The smaller pond on the west side is shown on the tithe map of Ilton, and both of them are depicted on the 1888 Ordnance Survey map. It is probable that they are medieval.
Details
PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS: the monument includes the earthwork and buried remains of a medieval moated site and two fishponds lying on a gentle south-facing slope.
DESCRIPTION: the moated site includes a rectangular island measuring 58m north-south and 44m square surrounded by a moat. The island is slightly higher than the surrounding ground and is accessed from a causeway across the south side of the moat. The Ordnance Survey maps of 1888 and 1903 depict a possible second causeway on the north side but it is not on the 1966 OS map. The moat, which is partially waterfilled, is some 12m wide with a coursed lias stone rubble retaining wall to its inner face, though this has collapsed in places. On the north side of the moat is a low earthwork bank (not accessible, 2021). There is a narrow, rectangular pond immediately to the north of moated site which may be medieval. It is orientated north-south, measures 70m by 13m, and is defined by banks up to 1.5m high (HER, see Sources). It is waterlogged at the north end. A smaller pond beyond the north-west corner of the moated site is approximately 26m by 11m and remains waterfilled.
EXTENT OF SCHEDULING: the area of archaeological interest includes the moated site and the two fishponds together with a 2m margin of protection around these archaeological features for the support and protection of the monument. The area therefore has a maximum length of 168m north to south and maximum width of 100m.
