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 situated in a shallow valley and includes
an island surrounded by a stream-fed waterlogged moat. The grass covered
island measures c.41m x 23m, contains a few trees, and projects out of the
valley slope towards the stream. The surrounding moat is c.9-12m wide x 1.5m
deep and is supplied by short channels at the N and W corners connecting with
a stream flowing parallel to the moat's NW arm but separated from the moat by
an outer bank c.12m max. width. Access to the island is via a stone revetted
causeway on the SE arm.
Lea Head moated site is unexcavated and, although no structural remains are
visible, is seen as the precursor of the present Lea Head Manor built c.1671
some 70m to the SE. All fences 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:
13465
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
