Moated site in Daffodil Wood

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 in good condition, is unexcavated and remains unencumbered by modern development. It will therefore retain considerable evidence of its original form and the activities which occurred on the enclosed island.

Details

The monument is a medieval moated site located in Daffodil Wood. The site includes a raised island measuring some 45m by 20m that projects out of the sloping hillside. The island contains a low rectangular platform at its western corner, c.22m by 12m and 0.2m high, and an area of low irregularly- shaped earthworks at its eastern corner. Surrounding the island is a dry moat up to 10m wide and 1.5m deep. An outer bank some 9m wide by 1.3m high flanks the moat's north-eastern arm. A now silted inlet channel enters the moat close to its north-eastern corner. An outer bank 7m wide by 1.5m high flanks the moat's south-western arm. This bank has a 3.5m gap a little to the west of centre.

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:

13508

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Darvill, T, MPP Single Monument Class Descriptions - Moats, (1989)
Snowdon, C A, AM 107, (1982)

End of official list entry

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