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 a rectangular moated site comprising an island 55m
east-west by 35m north-south surrounded by a partly water-filled moat. On the
island there is evidence of earthworks with an area in the south-east corner
of the island, c.0.5m higher than the rest of the interior, possibly
representing a house platform. The moat was stream-fed, with an inlet in the
north-west corner and an outlet in the south-east. The north arm is still
visible but has been silted and eroded by the stream which now leaves the moat
in the north-east corner. The west arm of the moat remains water-filled and
is c.60m long and 15m wide, while the south and east arms, c.70m and 60m long
respectively, both with a width of 12m, are now dry. The north-west corner of
the moat is the site of the original causeway which provided access to the
island. The land on which the moated site was constructed slopes to the east
and the site for the monument was therefore levelled. To the west the site is
dug into the slope and beyond the ditch the ground surface has been levelled
for a further 11m to a point 2m below the surrounding ground surface. To the
east there is an outer retaining bank which is 7m wide and stands to a height
of 4m. This bank continues around the north-east and south-east corners of
the ditch and was designed to retain the water in the moat as it is above the
level of the ground further west.
Field names on a 19th century map show `Moat Orchard' as a plot within Orchard
Wood, indicating that the island was used as an orchard.
The fencing surrounding the monument is excluded from the scheduling, although
the ground beneath is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20012
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Other
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
