Horsmonden Share Farm

Description

The moated site at Share Farm is a particularly informative example. It is in an excellent state of preservation, with many of the slight earthworks which illustrate the manner of water management at the site still visible, and hence displays a considerable diversity of individual components. The archaeological potential of the site is great, since the continued waterlogging of the moat provides excellent conditions for the preservation of normally perishable artefacts, and also of evidence from seeds and pollen of the environment and economy of the site while it was in use. On flat ground to the east of Share Farm is a square double-moated enclosure with further natural barriers in the form of watercourses on both east and west sides. The moats are now almost dry, but would originally have formed wide slow-moving water courses. The monument includes the entire area between the outer water courses. Moated sites are generally seen as prestigious residences of the Lords of the Manor. The moat marked the high status of the occupier of the site, but also served to deter casual raiders and wild animals. Most moats were constructed between 1250 and 1350, and it is to this period that the example at Share Farm is likely to date. The position of bridges which provided access onto the moat island is indicated by embankments at the mid-point of the western moat arms. The water in the inner and outer moats appears to have been kept separate, perhaps so that the outer moat could act as a fishpond without risk of contamination from the rubbish and sewage which was probably thrown into the inner moat. With a relatively small central island on which to build, it is considered likely that the area to the north of the artificial moats was also used for stables and other purposes. For these buildings the water channels on both sides and formerly to the south as well would have acted as a natural moat. (Scheduling Report)

Double concentric moats at Share Farm, Horsmonden. The site is further strengthened by its being placed within the fork of two streams which almost enclose it. The strongly defensive nature of the site suggests a possible late-Saxon date, Scheduled (Allcroft; VCH).
A homestead moat, as described above, now dry, but well preserved. It can be compared in plan, though it is smaller, with the 14th c. fortified manor house site of La Mote near Iden, Rye. There seems to be nothing to suggest that it is Saxon (F1 ASP 25-OCT-62).
An exceptionally good example of a medieval homestead most, with two complete concentric moats, (with entrance causeway on the west) and the streams forming a third, for which the western back water has clearly been deliberately widened. The inner ditches are now dry. Situated on an open meadow and perfectly preserved. Some cottages stood within the moat in the 18th century (1986 Record Form). (PastScape)

Comments

Which of the many manors within Horsmonden this site represents is not clear. Whilst these impressive moats clearly fit within the fashion of moated sites (and, possible, perceived defensive needs) this specific location must have been initially marshy and subject to flooding and the moats may have had a function in drainage and flood protection. Gould noted some water flow control features for the site but interpreted these in a defensive way suggesting the whole area between the two natural streams could be flooded (NB the western stream is no longer water filled). Whilst there were some cottages on the island in the C19 the site is now unoccupied.