Moated site at New Hall, Thurlaston

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 Thurlaston survives in good condition and retains considerable potential for survival of the remains of the original buildings of the interior.

Details

The monument at Thurlaston is situated 1km north of the village, on the edge of the medieval Leicester Forest. The moated site is square, measuring 90m x 90m in overall dimensions, with a ditch about 12m wide which is water-filled. It has a stone and brick built bridge on the south-west side and a causeway on the west. There is some evidence that the inner moat bank has been recently strengthened with large stones on the northern arm. The site is well documented from the 14th century onwards and was the mansion of the Turvilles. An abandoned standing house in the south-west corner of the island dating from the 1940's is not included in the scheduling, but the ground beneath it is included. A fishpond on the eastern side which has been significantly altered is not included in the scheduling.

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:

17051

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Farnham, G., Medieval Village Notes, 1935,

End of official list entry

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