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 is Woodend medieval moated site. The site includes an island some
37m square that contains minor surface undulations in its eastern half and a
raised area measuring c.16m by 21m and 0.3m high at its southwestern corner.
The island is surrounded on three sides by a moat that is wet on the east side
only and measures 10-12m wide and 3m deep. The moat's southern arm has been
infilled.
The monument is thought to have been a hunting lodge associated with Tutbury
Deer Parks. The site is known to have been occupied by Thomas Bowen in 1839.
Although the monument remains unexcavated red sandstone foundations are known
to lie buried on the island.
All walls, fences and outbuildings are excluded from the scheduling 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:
13504
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
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
