College Farm moated site and associated banked enclosure and fishpond

Reasons for Designation

Around 6000 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 or, in some cases, which were used for horticulture. 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. College Farm moated site survives in good condition and its significance is increased by the association with a contemporary fishpond and banked enclosure.

Details

The monument includes a moated enclosure, associated banked enclosure and a fishpond. The moated site, which is aligned north-west to south- east, is sub-trapezoidal in shape and measures some 55m by 35m in internal dimensions. It is surrounded by a water-filled moat on all but the west side which has been backfilled to form a drive. The moat is about 8m wide except for the north-west and south-east angles which have been enlarged into two ponds. The island is slightly raised above the surrounding land. Upon the island, and excluded from the scheduling, are the upstanding remains of a post medieval farmhouse and stables. These are considered to be located upon the site of earlier buildings and the ground below them is included in the scheduling. Low earthworks visible to the east of the house suggest the presence of additional related buildings. Adjacent to the moat on the north side are the well-defined remains of a banked enclosure currently enclosing a small orchard. The interior of the enclosure is very uneven marking the probable sites of additional out-house structures. A rectangular pond, north of the banked enclosure, is believed to be a contemporary fishpond. The pond measures some 60m by 20m and drains into an outflow leat at its east end. A short channel leads from the pond towards the north-west angle of the moat to where it is blocked by a solid causeway.

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:

11530

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Title: Ordnance Survey reprinted regional contour Map c. 1850's? Source Date: Author: Publisher: Surveyor:
CRO MA48, Enclosure map (1806), (1806)
SMR record, Simco, A, SMR entry (College Farm, Keysoe), (1986)
CRT 110/34, Re College Farm moated enclosure, (1624)
Map belonging to F Stapleton, Stapleton, F, (1989)

End of official list entry

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