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 moated site located to the north of the village of
Kettleburgh on a south-facing slope above the River Deben. The moated site
has overall dimensions of approximately 97m north-south by 92m east-west.
The rectangular island measures 69m east-west by 76m north-south by 69m east-
west and is surrounded by a moat between 7m and 14m wide and approximately 4m
deep, with steeply sloping sides and some evidence of chalk lining in the
lower part. The moat is water-filled by surface drainage and access to the
interior is provided by an earthen causeway approximately 4m wide across the
southern arm. The island has been identified as the site of Old Kettleburgh
Hall.
In the later 13th century Kettleburgh Manor, with the advowson, was granted
to Sir William Charles by Prince Edward, later Edward I, and it was held by
the Charles family until the mid-15th century.
Excluded from the scheduling are the concrete surface of the causeway, a fence
and gate enclosing the island, a modern plank footbridge across the northern
arm of the moat, a water tank on a concrete standing and a transport container
used for housing pigs (both sited at the southern end of the island), and a
service pole with support cables, but the ground beneath all these features
is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
21311
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
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
