Reasons for Designation
Around 6,000 moated sites are known in England. They consist of wide ditches,
often or seasonally water-filled, partly or completely enclosing one or more
islands of dry ground on which stood domestic or religious buildings. In some
cases the islands were used for horticulture. The majority of moated sites
served as prestigious aristocratic and seigneurial residences with the
provision of a moat intended as a status symbol rather than a practical
military defence. The peak period during which moated sites were built was
between about 1250 and 1350 and by far the greatest concentration lies in
central and eastern parts of England. However, moated sites were built
throughout the medieval period, are widely scattered throughout England and
exhibit a high level of diversity in their forms and sizes. They form a
significant class of medieval monument and are important for the understanding
of the distribution of wealth and status in the countryside. Many examples
provide conditions favourable to the survival of organic remains.
Details
The monument includes a rectangular moated site and fish stews 60m north-east
of Little Onn Hall, Church Eaton. The waterfilled moat, up to 12m wide and 2m
deep, is stone-lined with a cobbled base. The moat is divided into two
sections by entrances across the west and east arms. The west entrance to the
island is a stone-built causeway. A narrow stone bridge, 1.5m wide, forms
the eastern access. There is a stone overflow channel at the base of the
bridge which connects the two sections of the moat. The south-east corner of
the moat projects east to form a small pond. The island has dimensions of 42m
north-south by 50m east-west. There is upstanding masonry at the north-west
edge of the island, the ashlar walling including a small window opening with
splayed jambs. Outside the moat, to the south-west, are two small waterfilled
fish stews or breeding tanks, also stone-lined with a cobbled base.
An estate map of 1833 provides an indication of the original layout of the
moated site prior to its incorporation within the landscaped ornamental garden
which was designed by Mawson and laid out between 1870 and 1875.
The site is thought to have been held by the Lords of the Manor of Penkridge
until at least 1609; it has also been described as part of the barony of
Stafford.
The surfaces of the garden paths around the external perimeter of the moat and
on the platform and the extension to the east of the upstanding masonry at the
north-west edge of the platform are excluded from the scheduling but the
ground beneath these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
21505
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
