Moated site and fishpond at Maynards 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 Maynards Farm is well preserved and will retain archaeological information relating to the occupation and development of the site. The waterfilled ditches will retain environmental evidence pertaining to the economy of its inhabitants and the landscape in which they lived. In addition it has a documented history dating back to the early 14th century.

Details

The monument, which is divided into two areas, includes a moated site and fishpond situated on high ground overlooking the River Pant, 1.5km south-east of Great Sampford Church. The quadrangular moated site measures 90m NW-SE by 84m NE-SW. The ditches are all waterfilled and are an average of 5m in width. A causeway 45m in width gives access to the island at the southern end of the south-eastern arm and is considered to incorporate the original access. Another causeway, 2.5m in width, on the north-western arm is modern. The island is level and once contained a fishpond on the north-east side which has now been filled in. Another fishpond near the southern angle of the moat remains waterfilled and measures 40m NE-SW by a maximum of 10m NW-SE. The field immediately north of the moat contains visible low earthworks considered to be the remains of a cattle enclosure. This interpretation is accorded by the name, Pightle, which is used locally for the field. These earthworks have, however, been disturbed by ploughing and are therefore not considered well enough preserved to be included in the scheduling. The moated site is considered to have been that associated with the family of Symon Maynard in 1327. The house which is Listed Grade II, barns, greenhouses and the driveway are all excluded from the scheduling 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:

20696

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Reaney, PH, Place names of Essex, (1935)

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.