Moated site in Reynold's Orchard

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 in Reynold's Orchard survives well and is unencumbered by modern development. Organic material will be preserved within the waterlogged sections of the moat and the moated island will retain considerable archaeological evidence for the buildings which originally occupied it.

Details

The monument includes a moated site situated in Reynold's Orchard, 360m south-east of St Peter's Church, Eccleshall. The moated site includes a slightly raised island which measures 30m NE-SW by 16m NW-SE. The surface of the island is uneven. The four arms of the moat are visible on the ground surface. The north-western and south-eastern arms are partly waterlogged and are approximately 10m wide. The south-western and north-eastern arms are partly infilled with vegetation and measure up to 5m wide. There is a slight rise in the ground surface parallel to the south-western edge of the moat. This is considered to be the remains of an external bank. There is a slight break in the external bank at the southern corner of the moat and it represents the location of the moat's outlet channel. The moat ditch projects a further 8m west beyond the edge of the moated site at its western corner.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

21514

Legacy System:

RSM

End of official list entry

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