Moated site 400m south-east of Shortgrove Hall

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 400m south-east of Shortgrove Hall is well preserved and will retain archaeological information pertaining to the occupation of the site. Despite some recent dredging, the ditches will also retain environmental evidence relating to the economy of its inhabitants and the landscape in which they lived.

Details

The monument 400m south-east of Shortgrove Hall includes a sub-rectangular moated site situated on the top of a hill overlooking the River Cam, 1.5km north-east of Newport church. The moated site measures 75m north-south by 60m east-west. The arms are seasonally waterlogged from land drainage and are an average of 10m wide and 1.5m deep. A causeway, 12m wide, gives access to the island across the southern end of the eastern arm. During recent dredging of the southern moat arm, medieval tile and pottery were recovered.

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:

20729

Legacy System:

RSM

End of official list entry

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