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.
Details
The monument comprises a moated site formerly occupied by Iddinshall Hall, and
is an unusually large example of its type, measuring c.120m x 100m and
surrounded by a predominantly dry moat 10-12m wide x 2.5m max.depth. The
island possesses an inner bank 6m wide x 0.5m high with access being gained by
a causeway on the E side. On the S side is an outer bank 6m wide x 1m high.
A dry outlet channel issues from the moat's SW corner. The whole site is now
under trees and bushes; various timbers and pieces of dressed stone
litter the copse.
The Canons of St Werburgh held the township of Iddinshall at Domesday and it
is thought likely that an early monastic house or grange existed here. After
the Dissolution Iddinshall was granted to the Dean and Chapter of Chester from
whom it was extorted by Sir Richard Cotton. In 1550 it was sold to the
Hurlestones. By 1810 the hall had been demolished. It has been suggested
that the large size of the moat and its strategic location at the Beeston Gap
indicates the presence here of a Roman fortlet.
All fences are excluded from the scheduling, however, the ground beneath them
is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13459
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
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 Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
