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 is situated 300m SE of St Chad's Church on low lying land prone
to flooding.
It consists of a slightly raised grass-covered island c.40m square that
rises towards the S and SE. A dry moat 8-9m wide x 0.5m deep surrounds the
island and is best preserved at the SW corner. An outer bank 6.5m max. width
encircles the moat and has outlet channels cut through it at the N and NE
corners and along the SE side. An unusual feature at this site is a long
causeway 6m wide approaching from the NW and flanked by dry ditches and a
low outer bank on the NE. To the immediate SW of this causeway, there are
faint remains of a former fishpond. Access to the interior of the moated
site would have been by a bridge or drawbridge.
A second moated site of similar form lies 200m to the NE. Most moats were
constructed between 1250-1350 and are generally seen as the prestigious
residences of the Lords of the manor. The moat in such circumstances marked
the high status of the occupier, but also served to deter casual raiders and
wild animals.
A telegraph pole and wooden cable support on the SW outer bank and an
inspection chamber on the SE outer bank are excluded from the scheduling.
The ground beneath these features, however, is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13439
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
