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 of Perrior's Manor is situated approximately 1km north east of
the outskirts of Cheshunt, just south of Factory Farm. It is rectangular in
shape and measures c.80m east-west by c.70m north-south. The arms are between
4m and 10m wide and about 1.5m deep. The northern and eastern arms remain
waterfilled and are fed by the small stream situated north of the moat. The
southern arm has mostly dried out. The western arm has been infilled by
dumping. There is a causeway on the northern side which measures c.7.5m in
width. The island is undulating and overgrown but the footings of a 19th
century cottage are still visible in the south-east corner. To the east of
and linked to the moat is a fishpond which is seasonally waterfilled. It
measures c.35m east-west and 10m north-south at its widest point. It is
approximately 1.5m in depth.
The site was partly excavated in 1958-59. Four successive phases of building
are recorded for the manor house beginning in the late 13th to the late 17th
century. The building finally fell into ruins in the early 19th century and
later that century the brick cottage was constructed in the south-east corner
of the island. Finds included pottery, bronze horse trappings, and 15th to
17th century coins. Archaeological evidence suggests that the fishpond dates
to the late 16th century.
The footings of the 19th century cottage are 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:
20609
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
