Old Bold Hall moated site, Bold

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 moated site at Old Bold Hall was one of a group of five moated sites in the former township of Bold, documentary evidence indicates that of these it was the most significant. The moat survives well despite its modern tree and shrub growth. Evidence of the original buildings will be preserved on the island.

Details

The monument comprises a moated site, the island of which is now partially occupied by a 20th century farmhouse and garden but which was formerly occupied by Old Bold Hall. The moat is dry and has been partially in-filled but the site retains an early 18th century bridge and flanking gate piers which are Listed Grade II. The manor of Bold was known to be in existence in 1212 and Old Bold Hall is known to have been rebuilt at least 3 times, with access being by a drawbridge in the 16th century. The moat is 20-24m wide at its E corner and is steep-sided in its NW and SW arms and up to 1.5m deep. It is heavily overgrown with trees and shrubbery throughout. The island measures c.60m x 70m and possesses two access drives, one continuing across the island as a public footpath. Old Bold Hall farmhouse, the bridge and gate piers, a timber shed, all hedges and a public footpath signpost are excluded from the scheduling. The ground beneath all these features, however, is included.

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:

13429

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
S P Dom Eliz (1581-90) CLIII, ()
Baines, E, The History of Lancashire, (1836), 250
Country Life in Country Life: Feb 8th 1973, (1973)

Other

Rec Soc Lancs and Chesh, Lancs Inq and Extents 18,
Merseyside SMR 5940/1,
Pagination 5, Darvill, T., MPP Single Monument Class Descriptions - Moats, (1988)
Public Records Office, S DL 44/773 IP/417 Bold Manor House 1609,

End of official list entry

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