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
This moated site lies to the south west of Lordsfields Farm and is
approximately 40m square. The moat island is surrounded by a substantial ditch
approximately 10m wide and 1.5m deep which has small extended arm in the north
western corner. Parts of the north east and the north west corners of the moat
ditches are waterlogged. A small outer bank about 0.5m high is preserved on
the west side of the moat and the central island is oval and measures
approximately 20m x 17m.
This moat is considered to be the site of the manor house of Whittlebury and
maps of the early eighteenth century show a building on the island with a
bridge across the ditch near the south east corner. At present access to the
island is by a narrow causeway on the east arm.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13616
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
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
