Rock moated site and medieval village

Rock in medieval times is known to have been larger than it now is: in 1328, Henry de Ribbesford, who held Rock, had a grant of a weekly market and of a yearly fair on the feast of St Margaret and two days following.[2]

A moat was usually created as a status symbol, around a domestic or religious building, rather than for practical defence. The reason for this moat is not known.[1] In a description of the village in 1924, for the Victoria County History series, it was thought to be possibly the site of a cattle enclosure.[2]

The Church of St Peter and St Paul in Rock dates from the 12th century, with additions during the 14th century and restoration in the late 19th century.[2]

The moated enclosure lies immediately south-east of the church. It measures 114 metres (374 ft) north to south and 110 metres (360 ft) west to east; the ditch is about 3 metres (9.8 ft) deep with a bank on its outer edge. Halfway along the west side is an original entrance 7 metres (23 ft) wide. The space enclosed is about 0.3 hectares (0.74 acres); the uneven ground there indicates that there are buried features.[1]

Adjacent to the north-east is the site of a medieval settlement; it has been ploughed in recent times, but evidence remains of streets, orientated north-west to south-east, and homesteads of the village.[1]

• List of lost settlements in the United Kingdom