Moathouse Farm moated site

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.

Moathouse Farm moated site is well preserved and will retain archaeological information pertaining to the occupation of the site. The waterfilled ditches will also retain environmental evidence relating to the economy of its inhabitants and the landscape in which they lived.

Details

The monument at Moathouse Farm includes a rectangular moated site situated on high ground overlooking the River Chelmer, 2.5km north-east of Great Easton church. The moated site measures 63m east-west by 50m north-south. The moat arms, which are between 3m and 5m wide, are kept waterfilled by drainage from the surrounding land and the adjacent farm buildings. The north-eastern corner has been extended along the same line as the eastern arm for a further 5m. A causeway, 13m wide, gives access to the island across the northern arm. A small wooden footbridge crosses the western arm and is considered to be on the site of the original entrance to the island. A modern house occupies the island and is situated slightly further east than the original house which was demolished in 1966. The house, wooden footbridge, paths and the telegraph pole on the south- eastern corner of the island, are all excluded from the scheduling though the ground beneath them is included.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

20721

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
SMR NO: 1186, Information from SMR,

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