Half Moat Manor House, moated site and associated leat, Cheshunt.

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 seigniorial 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.

The Half Moat Manor site is a particularly fine example of a single island enclosure. It survives in very good condition and has high potential for the preservation of both wet and dry deposits within the interior and surrounding ditch. The value of the site is enhanced by the existence of historical records relating to its occupation and use. The presence of other nearby medieval buildings including the church and Cheshunt Great House and moat, gives the site added significance through contemporary association.

Details

The monument includes the remains of a moated enclosure and associated overflow ditch. The site which survives in very good condition is considered to be the remains of the medieval Cheshunt Manor. The moat measures some 75m square including the surrounding water filled ditches which measure some 7m across. The remains of brick arches abutting the ditch on the east side indicate where the original bridge was located. Other fragments of brickwork show that the inner edge of the ditch was supported by walls along its length. The outlines of buildings and features are visible within the interior. On the east side of the moat a wide leat linked to a smaller ditch joins an outer arrangement of ditches. Additional earthworks are also visible to the west of the moat. These include banks, ditches and a pond, linked to the moat by a small leat.

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:

11521

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
From 1782-5, (1782)
Edwards, , Cheshunt in Herts, (1974), 87

Other
Richardson, Plan of the Manor of Cheshunt, (1676)

End of official list entry

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