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 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.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20681
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
