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 moated site S of Huntington Hall includes a square island 65-70m
across surrounded by a well defined moat up to 2.3m deep that is wet for
over half its perimeter. A silted fishpond lies close to the NE corner
of the moat.
Most moats were constructed between 1250-1350 and are generally seen as
the prestigious residences of the Lords of the manor. The moat marked
the high status of the occupier, but also served to deter casual raiders
and wild animals.
Internally the island displays a well preserved inner bank little
damaged by the shallow ridge and furrow cultivation which crosses the
site. A later pond, now dry, lies close to the SE corner of the island.
Externally an outer bank runs around the N and E sides, being most
prominent at the NE corner where it has been cut by a channel to allow
movement of water between the presently silted fishpond and the moat.
Access to the island was gained by a causeway across the E arm of the
moat that is still in use as a public footpath.
In medieval times, Huntington was owned by the church and had land
confirmed in 1093 to the Benedictine monks of St Werburgh.
All field boundaries running along the inner edge of the ditch are
excluded from the scheduling, but the ground beneath them is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13417
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals 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
