A moated site at Goddards Farm

Overview

Heritage Category: Scheduled Monument

List Entry Number: 1011627

Date first listed: 17-Sep-1993

Location

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

National Grid Reference: TL 62908 35490

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 Goddards Farm remains well-preserved and will retain archaeological information relating to its occupation. The waterfilled ditches will retain environmental evidence pertaining to the economy of its inhabitants and the landscape in which they lived.

Details

The monument at Goddards Farm includes a moated site situated on a gentle north-east facing slope overlooking the River Pant, 1.25km west of Great Sampford Church. The quadrangular moated area measures 42m NW-SE by 33m NE- SW. The north-west arm has been infilled but is considered to have run in front of the house through what is now the farmyard. The remaining arms are between 7m to 10m wide and are waterfilled by seepage. The outlet is located at the eastern angle. A small causeway, 2m wide, probably modern, at the southern angle gives access to the island. The present house which is Listed Grade II dates to the 17th century and has 19th century additions. The site is considered to be one associated with the family of John Godd in 1327. The house and path are excluded from the scheduling though 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: 20693

Legacy System: RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Gerald, C, The Story of the Sampfords, (1981)

Legal

This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.