Moated site and fishpond east of Lashley Hall

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.

The moat at Lashley Hall remains largely undisturbed and as such will retain archaeological information pertaining to the occupation of the site. The water-filled ditches will retain environmental evidence relating to the economy of its inhabitants and the landscape in which they lived.

Details

The monument includes a moated site and fishpond situated on an east-facing slope, 50m east of Lashley Hall and 1km south-east of Lindsell church. The moated site is stirrup-shaped and measures 80m east-west by a maximum of 75m north-south. The arms are water-filled and are between 5m and 10m wide. The causeway to the island is situated on the western arm of the moat and was formerly 32m wide. Most of this causeway has been excavated by the owner in recent years leaving a causeway 4.5m wide. The original house at Lashley Hall is thought to have stood on the eastern part of the island. A fishpond, which is dry and irregular in shape, is situated 12m east of the moated site. It measures 26m north-south by a maximum of 22m east-west. The site is mentioned as early as 1086 as Lacheleybroke, a name which means "clearing by the small stream". The concreted causeway and gate are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath them is included.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

20706

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
070250, Information from SMR,

End of official list entry

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