Silvington Manor double 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.

Silvington Manor is an above average example of a double moated site. It survives in good condition and will retain evidence of former buildings within its raised interior.

Details

Silvington Manor moated site lies on the west side of the village, adjacent to the church of St Michael. The monument consists of a double moated site. The larger of the moat islands is rectangular and enclosed on three sides by a ditch approximately 15m wide and from 1.5m to 2.5m deep. The fourth arm on the east side may have been infilled to accommodate Manor Farm which now occupies part of the island. Close to the south west corner of the moat, remains of a stone revetment can be seen and some stonework is also visible on the north east corner of the ditch. There is an outer bank, 2m high and 10-12m wide, on the north side of the north moat arm, where the land slopes away towards Silvington Brook. The moat island, 45m x 30m, is slightly raised above the level of the surrounding land and on its eastern side stands Manor Farm which is a Grade II listed building. The farmhouse has a 14th century inscription on the south wall and much of the fabric is considered to be medieval with 19th century additions. A smaller moat enclosure is attached to the north west corner of the fish moat. It is sub-rectangular in shape measuring 40m x 25m internally with ditches 5 - 10m wide. The ditches do not connect directly with those of the larger moat and there is a causeway about 5m wide at the north east corner. It appears to have been used as an orchard. The lands of Silvington are documented as having been held by the Abbey of St Remigius at Rheims from the 12th century. The Prior at Lapley represented the Abbey in England and Silvington was held nominally under him until the early 15th century when many foreign owners were banished. There is historical evidence for a succession of tenants and owners who held the manor in the medieval and post-medieval periods, including the de Beysin and de Hawkstone families in the 13th century. The Manor farmhouse, all farm outbuildings, out-houses and made up paths are excluded from the scheduling, but the ground below these features, is included in the scheduling.

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:

13681

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Various, including VCH, Information kept by owner,

End of official list entry

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