Maghull Manor 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.

Despite partial infilling of the moat, Maghull Manor moated site survives reasonably well. The site is unencumbered by modern development and evidence of the building that originally occupied the island is known to survive. Additionally organic material will be preserved within the waterlogged moat and outlet channel.

Details

The monument is the moated site of Maghull Manor. It includes a slightly raised rectangular island measuring c.80m by 60m that is flanked on its eastern and northern sides and around the north-west corner by a waterlogged moat 1.4m deep to the water level and up to 21m wide on the northern side and 8m wide on the eastern side. Elsewhere the moat has been infilled. A waterlogged outlet channel issues from the moat's north-west corner. Access to the island is by a causeway on the eastern side. The building that occupied the island is thought to have been demolished during the late 18th century when the present Manor House was built to the south-west of the moated site. Brick and sandstone foundations, a stone-lined well, fragments of burnt daub, floor tile and medieval pottery were found on the island after shallow ploughing in the late 1970's. All fences, walls, paths, and a brick and sandstone folly at the island's north-east corner are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath 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:

22446

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Darvill, T, MPP Single Monument Class Descriptions - Moats, (1989)
SMR No 3600/3, Merseyside SMR, Maghull Manor,

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