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 is Rixton Old Hall medieval moated site. It includes a
sub-rectangular island surrounded by a waterlogged moat. Thirteenth-century
documentary sources indicate that it once formed part of the medieval village
of Rixton. The island's maximum dimensions measure approximately 70m by 55m
and it contains earthworks in its northern half that include two levelled
areas: the larger measuring c.15m by 12m and surrounded on three sides by a
low bank up to 0.3m high and 1m wide; the smaller measuring approximately 8m
square. The surrounding moat has mainly precipitous sides with the water level
approximately 1m below the interior level. It varies in width between 14m-30m
and is widest at the south-eastern corner. Access to the island is by a modern
brick bridge that is thought to be on the site of the original entrance.
The village of Rixton is mentioned in 13th-century documents. Between 1200 and
1332 successive lords of the manor were named Alan de Rixton. In 1384 William
de Rixton sold all his lands in Rixton to Richard de Mascy and the Mascy
family lived at Rixton Hall until the 18th century. The present house lies
immediately to the south of the moat and was constructed in 1822. The extent
and survival of any other remains of the deserted village are not presently
known and hence not included in the scheduling. Excluded from the scheduling
are all fences and gateposts on the island, the modern brick bridge, a modern
sluice close to the moat's north-eastern corner and a wooden jetty at the
south-eastern corner 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:
23640
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
