Terrier's Farm moated site

Overview

Location

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 moated site at Terrier's Farm remains largely undisturbed and will retain archaeological information relating to the occupation of the site. The water-filled ditches will retain environmental evidence pertaining to the economy of its inhabitants and the landscape in which they lived.

Details

The monument includes a moated site situated on high ground 1.72km north-east of Thaxted church. It is trapezoidal in shape and measures 60m NW-SE by a maximum of 65m NE-SW. The arms are water-filled and are 5m wide. An external bank, 2m wide and approximately 1m high, runs along the eastern side of the moat. A modern brick and iron bridge, 4m wide, gives access to the island across the north-western arm, whilst a causeway, 23m wide, crosses the north- eastern arm. Another modern bridge of wood and iron crosses the south-western arm. The island is raised about 0.5m above the level of the surrounding ground and is now occupied by a mid-Georgian house with Victorian additions and is Listed Grade II. The moat is thought to have been associated with the family of Richard Terry in 1319. The mid-Georgian house, outhouses, bridges, water pipe and driveway, which occupy the site at present, are all excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath all these features 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:

20708

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Reaney, PH, Place names of Essex, (1935)

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 Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.