Monument record MBC47755 - MEDIEVAL/POST MEDIEVAL SUBRECTANGULAR DITCHED ENCLOSURE, WHITCHURCH

A subrectangular ditched enclosure of probable medieval or post medieval date is visible on historic aerial photographs and remote sensing data as earthworks and was mapped as part of the Aylesbury Vale Aerial Investigation and Mapping project (EBC18604). Located in a field corner about 1.1km SW of Willow Brook Farm and centred at SP 82434 20106, a slightly trapezoidal ditch up to 2 metres wide encloses an internal area about 40 metres SSW-NNE and broadens from 27.5 metres to 32 metres WNW-ESE at its widest point. Within the enclosure and against the inside edge of the boundary ditch is a bank that varies between 2 metres and 3.5 metres wide. From the SE corner of the enclosure ditch, a ditch extends a further 18 metres SSW before turning WNW for 45 metres. Some 50 metres to the W is a linear bank about 49 metres N-S and 5 metres wide that may be associated. W of this bank are blocks of ridge and furrow cultivation. The function of these earthworks is unclear, but may have functioned as a stock enclosure, though this is speculative (1-3)..