Moated site at Fenton's Farm

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 at Fenton's Farm survives well and is unencumbered by modern building. It will retain archaeological information concerning the construction and use of the site and the economy of its inhabitants. Organic material, including evidence of the local environment, will be preserved in the water-logged deposits.

Details

The monument includes a moated site, situated at the boundary between the parishes of Dennington, to the south and east, and Tannington, which lies to the north west. The island, which is sub-rectangular in plan and unoccupied, is raised approximately 0.5m above the external ground level and has maximum dimensions of 40m north east - south west by 38m north west - south east. The moat which surrounds the island is approximately 1.6m deep, with arms measuring between 9m and 12m in width, and it is crossed by a causeway on the south western side. The line of the north western arm extends from the western angle of the moat in a projecting pond approximately 26m long and up to 13m wide; and 14m to the south east of this is a parallel but much shorter outward projection, flanking the southern side of the causeway. The moat remains water-logged, with some shallow, open water on the eastern side. Farm buildings abutting the moat on the north western side are excluded from the scheduling, as is a telegraph pole near the causeway, but the ground beneath these features is included.

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:

21306

Legacy System:

RSM

End of official list entry

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