Moated site in Oak Grove, Coppingford

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 Oak Grove is one of two well-preserved moats at Coppingford. The site survives essentially undisturbed and although excavated the site retains high archaeological potential.

Details

The moated site at Oak Grove is situated in Coppingford Wood, within a kilometre of the village of Coppingford where there is a second moat. It comprises an oval-shaped moat approximately 38 x 28m in overall dimension with its longer axis orientated east-west. The surrounding ditch survives to a depth of 1.5m and is 6m wide on the northern side. The southern arm of the moat is slightly shallower and beyond the moat the land slopes markedly southwards. Remains of an entrance causeway 2.5m wide occur on the north side of the moat. The moat island was partially excavated in the 1960s but no published record of the work exists. The remains of a rectangular excavation trench 3 x 8m are visible in the northern part of the island.

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:

17002

Legacy System:

RSM

End of official list entry

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