Moat and fishponds at Ratcliffe Culey

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 moat at Ratcliffe Culey is an above average example of a medieval manorial site with contemporary fishponds. Both the fishponds and moat survive in good condition and the moat island has considerable potential for preserving evidence of the original manor house.

Details

The monument at Ratcliffe Culey comprises a moated site and fishponds grouped around the church on the south side of the village, 1.5km north-east of Atherstone. The oval-shaped, dry moated site is situated 40m east of the church and measures 50 x 40m in overall dimensions. The moat ditch is deepest on the south side, measuring approximately 2.5m deep and 12m wide, and has traces of an outer bank on this side. A hollow way runs between the north-west side of the moat and the road leading to the church. Two fishponds, each measuring 25m long and about 1m deep, are located 100m to the south-west of the moated site. They are connected by a channel which also leads to a natural pond to the north. The fishponds appear to be linked to the moated site via a series of field boundary ditches. The boundary ditches have been extensively modified by modern ploughing and are not considered to be of national importance and have therefore been excluded from 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:

17058

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Page, W, The Victoria History of the County of, (1907)

End of official list entry

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