Moated site at Battles Manor

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.

Although two of the moat arms are no longer visible, the moated site at Battles Manor remains well preserved and will retain archaeological information relating to the occupation of the site and the waterfilled ditches will retain environmental evidence pertaining to the economy of its inhabitants and the landscape in which they lived.

Details

The monument includes a rectangular shaped moated site situated on an east- facing slope overlooking the River Stort, 1.75km north-west of Manuden church. The northern and southern moat arms remain visible. The eastern and western arms have been infilled, but will survive as buried features. The southern arm measures 60m in length while the northern arm is 52m long. Both arms are 12m wide and are waterfilled. The garden between the two moat arms contains a heavy scatter of tile fragments which indicates a former structure, probably the original house, which is documented as dating from the 14th century. The garden wall, which runs along the south side of the northern arm and continues along the western edge of the island, is constructed of early brick and contains a 16th century entrance which is now blocked up. The wall and blocked gateway are included in the scheduling. The present Battles Manor House, which dates from the mid 17th century, is situated in the north-east corner of the area of the scheduling and is Listed Grade II. The house, outbuildings and paths are all excluded from the scheduling although the ground beneath them 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:

20689

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
TL 42 NE 7, Information from National Archaeological Record (TL 42 NE 7),

End of official list entry

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