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 known as Hall Bank lies E of St Chad's church and is a well
preserved moated site approached by a long earthen causeway.
The site consists of a raised island c.60m square upon which is an L-shaped
scarp defining an elevated area interpreted as marking the position of the
original hall. A dry moat up to 12m wide x 1-2m deep surrounds the island,
and a wide outer bank encircling the moat has outlet channels cut through it
at the SW and SE corners. An unusual feature at this site is a substantial
raised causeway c.9m wide approaching from the W and leading to the outer
edge of the moat from where a bridge or drawbridge would have provided
access into the interior.
A second moated site of similar form lies 200m to the SW.
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.
All field boundaries are excluded from the scheduling, however, the ground
beneath these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13438
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
