Monks, cows and farmers: A moated medieval farm on the Severn Vale at Cowfield Farm, Northway, Tewkesbury
A talk by Jon Hart
Excavation by Cotswold Archaeology revealed a medieval farmstead, in use between the 12th/13th and mid 15th centuries. Documentary research undertaken during the project suggests this was part of a manor belonging to Tewkesbury Abbey, passing into royal and then private hands following the dissolution.
The remains included a rectilinear enclosure, ditched land plots and a possible sheepcote. By at least the mid 15th century, a rectangular moat was dug and this contained a stone or stone-founded building, presumed to have been the main residence. Access was across a wooden bridge, elements of which survived in situ and were dated by dendrochronological analysis to the mid to late 15th century. Outside the moat was a large aisled building, possibly a cowshed, and documentary evidence suggests that the site may have been a vaccary (a site used for cattle farming). Several of the finds suggest the tenants were of some means, and they were probably wealthier peasants. During the mid 18th century, the medieval dwelling was replaced by a brick farmhouse which is shown on historic mapping, and which stood until it was destroyed by fire in 2004.
