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 includes the two concentric ditches, internal areas, ponds and
outer enclosure of an unusual moated site which dates from the 12th/13th
century and which continued in use into the 16th century.
The flat central area has a diameter of some 50m. Within this area are a
number of stretches of walling. To the south-west, part of a 13th-century
curtain wall survives to a height of 4m and includes the base of an angular
turret.
To the east are four lengths of walling, one featuring the herringbone
tiling of a fireback, which define a late medieval rectangular stone
building some 22m long. Partial excavation in 1923 of this inner area
revealed the foundations of an earlier stone building 15m by 13m at its
centre.
Around this inner area is a pair of concentric and steeply-sided ditches 9-
12m across at the top and varying in depth from some 2.5m to 4m. The ditches
are separated by up to 30m of flat ground. Causeways, not all of which are
original features, cross the ditches at irregular intervals.
To the west of the concentric ditches are two ponds dammed at their south
ends and with a 2m difference in their heights. The ponds are linked by an
overflow channel. The more southerly pond has an earthen retaining bank on
its western side. North of the ditches is an area of earthworks and ponds
associated with the moated site, including an earthen bank over 50m long and
2.5m high and a rectangular pond some 20m by 10m in the north-east corner.
The mechanisms of the Nun's Well and the sluices between the ponds and on
the southern margin are excluded from the scheduling along with all above
ground structures except those on the central area; all boundary fencing is
excluded. However, the ground beneath these areas is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
12871
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
