Moat Farm moated site and associated pond

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 Moat Farm survives well and the island is largely unencumbered by later building. Important archaeological information concerning the construction, function and use of the site will be contained in deposits on the island, and evidence for land use prior to the construction of the moat will be preserved in the soils buried beneath its raised surface. Organic material will also be preserved in water-logged deposits. The moat is of an unusual form, and has additional interest as one of a group of moated sites surviving in and immediately around the parish of Dennington.

Details

The monument includes a moated site and associated pond, located on the boundary between the parishes of Dennington, on the south and east side, and Brundish on the north and west. The moat, which is approximately 1.6m deep and measures between 11m and 15m in width, surrounds an island of irregular trapezoidal plan, giving overall maximum dimensions of 111m north east - south west by 90m north west - south east. The surface of the island is raised between 0.6m and 0.9m above the external surface level, and access to it is provided by a causeway across the eastern arm of the moat, with a second causeway across the western arm opposite. The moat is water-filled, fed by surface drainage. Immediately to the west of the moat, near the southern end, is an east-west linear pond measuring approximately 65m by 10m which, as part of a system controlling the inflow of water, is included in the scheduling. The moat and the surrounding field system remain much as they are shown in a map dated 1627, the principal addition being a large pond which has been dug on the eastern arm of the moat, towards its southern end. The greater part of this pond, where it is distinct from the moat, is not included in the scheduling. Moat Farm was known formerly as Pyeshall's or Pixhall's Manor, and Robert de Pyshale and John Pyshale are mentioned in documents of the early 14th century. In the mid 16th century it was owned by Henry Edgar (died 1619). Moat Farm House, which stands on the island, incorporates a 16th century building, and a chimney stack bears the date 1606, and the initials of Henry and Bridget Edgar.

The house, which is Listed Grade II, is excluded from the scheduling, as are the outbuildings and sheds on the island, the driveway and paths, garden walls and fences, and a post supporting a television aerial. Also excluded is a farm building which encroaches on the outer edge of the eastern arm, north of the causeway, and the associated concrete standing and revetment. The ground beneath all these buildings and features is included in the scheduling.

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:

21309

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Farrer, E, East Anglian Miscellany in Moat Farm, Dennington, Vol. 11, (1917), 1,5,10
Martin, E, Easton, T, Proc Suffolk Inst Archaeol in Excursions 1991: Eye, Cranley Hall, Vol. 37, (1992), 398

Other
Title: Map in possession of Mr & Mrs J Nesling Source Date: 1627 Author: Publisher: Surveyor:

End of official list entry

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