Oxhey Hall 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.

Oxhey Hall moated site has royal connections and is well-documented historically. The monument survives in good condition and the interior of the moat, which is essentially undisturbed, retains high archaeological potential.

Details

The moat at Oxhey Hall lies east of Oxhey. It is a rectangular shaped moat measuring c.102m north-south by c.60m east-west. The arms are between 12m and 13m in width and are c.2m in depth. They are now dry but were originally fed by a brook to the north which has been re-routed. The eastern arm has been infilled though it is visible as a slight depression in front of the house. There is evidence of an external bank running around the three surviving sides of the moat. It measures approximately 2m in width and 0.5m in height. On the island is Oxhey Hall, a Grade II listed building, which dates from the 16th century with later alterations and restorations. It is known to have been the hunting lodge of Henry VIII. The Hall is excluded from the scheduling but the ground beneath it is included.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

20613

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
The Victoria History of the County of : Volume III, (1912)

Other
SMR No: 070250, Information from SMR,

End of official list entry

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