Clapton Hall moated site and fishpond

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 Clapton Hall is unusual in shape and in its use of the stream as a moat arm. It survives well and will retain archaeological information relating to the occupation of the site.

Details

The monument at Clapton Hall includes a stirrup-shaped moated site and fishpond situated on an east facing slope overlooking the River Chelmer, 2.5km south of Great Dunmow church. The moated site measures 72m NE-SW by 60m NW-SE. The arms are now dry and measure a maximum of 11m in width and approximately 2m in depth. The north-western arm was constructed to incorporate a stream which has now dried up. The surface of the island is uneven indicating the presence of buried remains of earlier structures. 20m north of the moated site is a sub-rectangular shaped fishpond which was once connected to the moat by the stream. It is now dry and measures 70m NE-SW by 32m NW-SE and is approximately 1m deep. The name Clapton comes from the family of William de Clopton who is first mentioned in 1345. The small area of concrete yard that extends into the area of the scheduling behind the present Clapton Hall is excluded from the scheduling, though the ground beneath it 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:

20720

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
SMR NO: 1233, Information from SMR,

End of official list entry

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