Moated site with fishpond at Dunton Bassett

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 moat at Dunton Bassett is a good example of a Leicestershire manorial moated site with a well-preserved fishpond. The moat island is essentially undisturbed and will retain evidence of the original manorial buildings.

Details

The moated site at Dunton Bassett is situated on high ground within the village 100m north of the church and includes a small fishpond. The monument is a sub-rectangular moated site orientated east-west and measuring 60 x 50m. It has two well defined moat arms on the north and east sides 6m wide and 1.5m deep with an internal bank. Traces of a southern arm less than 0.5m deep can be seen parallel to the field boundary. The western arm appears to have been infilled. There are building foundations on the eastern side of the island measuring 12 x 13m and 0.3m high. A fishpond measuring 15m square and embanked on the east, is situated on the eastern side of the moated area and is connected to it by a channel.

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:

17052

Legacy System:

RSM

End of official list entry

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