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 includes a moated site exhibiting traces of an access causeway
and outer bank. The grassy island, measuring 63m x 47m, possesses surface
features that include a low mound at the S corner some 8m x 7m x 0.2m high,
and a low platform 0.1-0.3m high x 13m wide running NE-SW for some 30m.
Surrounding the island is a dry moat 15m wide x 1.5m max. depth that is
crossed by a causeway on the SE arm. An outer bank 0.3m high x 9m wide runs
along the SW side of the moat.
This monument is thought to have been the site of the manor house of Marlston,
but it is not depicted or shown as occupied on early maps, thus suggesting
early abandonment.
All field boundaries are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground
beneath them is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13451
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
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
