Fishponds, 450m north-east of Sewingshields (Simonburn)
[NY 81117061] Fish Ponds [G.T.] (Site of) [T.I.] (1)
The remains of dry fish-ponds probably associated with Sewingshields Castle. Published Survey (25 inch) revised. See GPs AO 56/309/4 and 5. (2)
Survey of 18.1.62 unchanged. (3)
NY 8111 7060. Fishponds 450m NE of Sewingshields. Scheduled RSM No 20982. The fishponds are of linear form, comprising three rectangular ponds orientated N-S with each long side abutting onto the next. They are all 33m long, and 10m, 7.5m and 12.5m wide with flat bottoms. Earthen banks lie on three sides of each pond, standing to a maximum height of 1.5m and average width of 7.5m. The area of the fishponds is also delineated by a substantial earthen bank 5m across and 1.3m high, placed at a distance of 3m and 13m from the ponds on the W and S sides respectively. These ponds must have been constructed by the occupants of Sewingshields Castle which lay to the immediate S; however, the exact location, form and extent of the castle itself are not precisely known and it is not included in the Scheduling. (4)
Two fishponds, not three, are visible on aerial photographs. They are aligned south west to north east.
Site visited as part of a Farm Environment Plan, where assessed as in a fair condition. (5)
Medieval fishponds survive as earthworks and are visible on air photographs, centred at NY 8111 7061. The rectangular ponds have substantial earthen banks. To the south of the ponds is a bank with a substantial ditch (enhanced natural channel?) and a bank to the west merges with a later sod cast boundary bank extending northwards (see NY 87 SW 292). There are extensive channels, some of which may be natural and drainage ditches in this location. (6a-b)
General association with HER 7838 (Sewingshields Castle), HER 7840 (fishpond), HER 32057 (field boundaries). (6)
The remains of dry fish-ponds probably associated with Sewingshields Castle. Published Survey (25 inch) revised. See GPs AO 56/309/4 and 5. (2)
Survey of 18.1.62 unchanged. (3)
NY 8111 7060. Fishponds 450m NE of Sewingshields. Scheduled RSM No 20982. The fishponds are of linear form, comprising three rectangular ponds orientated N-S with each long side abutting onto the next. They are all 33m long, and 10m, 7.5m and 12.5m wide with flat bottoms. Earthen banks lie on three sides of each pond, standing to a maximum height of 1.5m and average width of 7.5m. The area of the fishponds is also delineated by a substantial earthen bank 5m across and 1.3m high, placed at a distance of 3m and 13m from the ponds on the W and S sides respectively. These ponds must have been constructed by the occupants of Sewingshields Castle which lay to the immediate S; however, the exact location, form and extent of the castle itself are not precisely known and it is not included in the Scheduling. (4)
Two fishponds, not three, are visible on aerial photographs. They are aligned south west to north east.
Site visited as part of a Farm Environment Plan, where assessed as in a fair condition. (5)
Medieval fishponds survive as earthworks and are visible on air photographs, centred at NY 8111 7061. The rectangular ponds have substantial earthen banks. To the south of the ponds is a bank with a substantial ditch (enhanced natural channel?) and a bank to the west merges with a later sod cast boundary bank extending northwards (see NY 87 SW 292). There are extensive channels, some of which may be natural and drainage ditches in this location. (6a-b)
General association with HER 7838 (Sewingshields Castle), HER 7840 (fishpond), HER 32057 (field boundaries). (6)
N7837
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1962; W D Johnston
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1965; R W Emsley
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY, Hadrian's Wall Landscape from Chesters to Greenhead 1999; T GATES
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION, English Heritage: Hadrian's Wall WHS Mapping Project, NMP 2008; English Heritage
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1965; R W Emsley
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY, Hadrian's Wall Landscape from Chesters to Greenhead 1999; T GATES
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION, English Heritage: Hadrian's Wall WHS Mapping Project, NMP 2008; English Heritage
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