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 moated site, known locally as `Birds Nest Lodge', is situated on the New
Parks housing estate on the west side of Leicester.
The rectangular moat, measuring 100 x 80m, was largely filled in in the
1940's. The moat survives as a very shallow ditch on the northern arm, 10m
wide and less than 0.5m deep, and a crop mark for the remaining arms. The
island has an uneven surface marking the foundations of a lodge known from
documents to have occupied the site. Fifteen metres to the east of the moat,
earthwork banks of about 0.5m high and 30m long represent a fishpond
associated with the moated area.
The site at Birds Nest was a lodge of Leicester Forest, later to become the
`New Parks' in the 16th century. First mention of the lodge is in 1362.
Shortly after this it was rebuilt with a moat in 1378. A 1526 reference
records scouring the moat, and the construction of a drawbridge. In the same
century, there is also a detailed description of the lodge building.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
17027
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
