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 monument includes the moated site 170m north-east of Sandon church. The
moated site has external dimensions of approximately 100m west-east by 80m
north-south. The waterfilled moat measures 12m to 15m wide and is
approximately 4m deep. A narrow bank or spur divides the western arm of the
moat into two parts. It therefore takes the form of two parallel channels
joined at their southern end. Much of the inner edge of the moat is stone-
faced. The moated island measures approximately 49m square. A causeway across
the eastern arm and a narrow footbridge on the northern side of the moat now
provide access onto the moated island. The original entrance was via a
drawbridge across the eastern arm of the moat which led to the house on the
moated island. By 1854, however, a small portion of stone walling was the only
standing remains of this building.
The site was acquired, through marriage, by the Erdeswick family in 1338. The
family included Sampson Erdeswick (d.1603), the antiquary and first historian
of Staffordshire. Sandon Hall remained the property of the Erdeswick family
until the mid-17th century.
Excluded from the scheduling are the footbridge across the moat, all fence
posts and the 19th-century cottage, the ornamental pond, the outbuildings
used for storage and the animal pens which are situated on the moated island,
but the ground beneath all these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
21511
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
