Moated lodge 200m west of ruins of Bradgate House

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 in Bradgate Park is an important survival of a medieval lodge contained within a well documented deer park. The site survives well. The island site will retain evidence of medieval lodge buildings.

Details

The monument in the parish of Newtown Linford is within the medieval Bradgate Park and includes a moated site. The rectangular moat measures approximately 55m x 40m and has arms which are 1.5m deep and 3m-4m wide. The remains of an earthen entrance causeway are situated midway along the southern arm leading to the main carriageway through the park. The medieval Bradgate Park was in existence by 1241 and survives today as a country park, although with a slightly different boundary. The moated area is likely to be the site of an early park lodge and is situated 200m to the west of the remains of the late 15th century mansion built by the Grey family.

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:

17104

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Hartley, R F, The Medieval Earthworks of Central Leicestershire, (1989), 10,21

End of official list entry

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