Maple Hayes moated site

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 monument survives well and is a good example of a small medieval moated site. The site is unexcavated and remains unencumbered by modern development. It will contain evidence of the building known to have occupied the island during the 13th century.

Details

The monument is Maple Hayes medieval moated site. The site includes a rectangular island measuring c.30m by 27m upon which is a hollow some 0.6m square by 0.3m deep a short distance south of the centre. Surrounding the island is a dry moat 8-14m wide and up to 2m deep. An outer bank c.10m wide by 0.4m high flanks the eastern, southern, and southern half of the western sides. An 8m wide gap in the southern outer bank a little to the west of centre indicates an original access point to a bridge. A channel some 2m wide by 6m long and 0.3m deep exists at the mid-point of the monument's west side. The monument is considered to have been the seat of Thomas de Abbenhall in 1294.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 3 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:

13507

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Darvill, T., MPP Single Monument Class Descriptions - Moats, (1988)
SMR No 187, Staffs SMR, Abnalls Lane: Lichfield,
Snowdon, C A, AM 107, (1982)

End of official list entry

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