Double moated site south of Coldhams Farm

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 Coldhams Farm site is an example of a more unusual class of moated site which is rare even in areas of the country where moated sites are more widespread. It remains essentially undisturbed and will retain archaeological information pertaining to the occupation and development of the site. The waterlogged ditches and areas of the interior will contain environmental evidence relating to the economy of its inhabitants and the landscape in which they lived.

Details

The monument includes a double moated site orientated south-west to north-east and situated on the crest of a hill 700m north-west of Rickling Church. The larger, western moat is circular, 54m in overall diameter, and defined by a waterfilled ditch 12m wide. A brick and concrete bridge gives access to the island at the south-east side of the moat. On the island is an 18th-century house which is listed Grade II. Approximately 10m north-east is the second moat which is subrectangular in shape and measures 36m east-west by 30m north- south. The ditch ranges between 5m and 10m in width and is waterfilled. There is no access to the island which is raised c.0.5m above the surrounding ground level. A possible fishpond once situated immediately east of the eastern moat appears to have been infilled and is not included in the scheduling. The Grade II listed house, footbridge and the above ground waterpipe are 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:

20681

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
SMR No:126, Information from SMR No. 126,

End of official list entry

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