Moated site, prospect mound and fishponds adjacent to Isle Farm

Heritage listing

Details The monument includes the earthwork and buried remains of a medieval moated site, a prospect mound and fishponds to the south east of Isle Farm. The moated site is considered to be the manorial centre of Rossall, which was held by Vivian de Rossall (Rosshall) in the early 13th century. The manor was held by the Rossalls until the early 15th century, when it passed to the Englefield family. A survey of the manor by John Lovell for Francis Englefield in 1587 records that the moated manor site was used as an orchard by this date and that no buildings remained standing. This survey also notes the presence of a former chapel in Chapel Field to the south of the moated site. Documentary sources list the incumbents from the 13th century until the 15th century. It has been alleged that the chapel was burnt down during the Reformation. Its position is approximately marked on the earliest large scale Ordnance Survey map of 1881 as being adjacent to the south west corner of the moated site. There are no visible indications of this building since the area has been heavily disturbed by tree planting. The chapel site is not therefore included in the scheduling as its exact location and form are not known. The moated site was built on western side of the neck of a large meander of the River Severn. It is situated on level ground next to the very steep slope cut by the river. The rectangular moated island, which measures approximately 60m north-south and 70m east-west, is defined on its western side by the steep slope and on the other sides by a moat, now dry, consisting of three arms between 9m and 15m wide. Water within the moat would have been held by dams constructed at the western ends of the north and south arms. Of these two dams the one crossing the northern arm is still

From the Historic England List Entry under OGL v3.